Less intimidations and more facts please

Comments on Alan Kohler “Chinese business in chains”, 13/07/2009, http://www.businessspectator.com.au/bs.nsf/Article/Chinese-business-in-chains-pd20090713-TVT2N?OpenDocument&src=sph

Alan, many people in Australia appear to assume that Mr Hu is completely innocent and his detention by Chinese National Security Bureau is arbitory. As a result, many are arguing for his release. That is understandable from Australian’s point of view.

But that is a big assumption and does depend on that the assumption is correct. At this stage there is no evidence to suggest that assumption is correct or not, apart from speculations, or political and business intimidations.

Do we like other nationals to violate Australian laws without any consequences? Or, any lawful prosecutions should not be done, because other businesses may get scared? Scare of what, if they obey the law and conduct their business lawfully?

Australia is not the master of the Chinese and we can’t tell the Chinese how they should conduct their business. It is not only we don’t have the power, but also morally wrong for us to dictate another nation.

At this time, I am not sure you still remember that your colleague argued that the Australia government should impose special terms for the proposed Chinalco Rio deal so that it is unattractive to the Chinese? Don’t think that went a little too far? It would have been much better to leave that matter for Rio’s shareholders’ vote to decide. That may have the same outcome but with fewer hostilities exhibited by us towards the Chinese, isn’t it right?