Michael Shoebridge @MichaelS_SAA Twitter profile

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

2 years

3 unpleasant truths Beijing is learning about the West: 1 propaganda about a declining, divided West looks wrong given united, rapid support of Ukraine; 2 Russia is weaker than Beijing hoped; & 3 Western military technology is dominant on the battlefield.

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

5 years

1.4billion Chinese people with ‘hurt feelings’ from an NBA tweet, an Apple app or Tiffany ad is both a ridiculous &disturbing claim. Xi’s CCP has created a curated garden of outrage, and is weaponising their citizens’ emotions.

The Chinese Communist Party’s confected outrage machine | The Strategist

A basketball official, a big gaming company, Tiffany jewellers and Apple have all apparently ‘hurt the feelings of the Chinese people’ by either saying something in support of the Hong Kong protest...

www.aspistrategist.org.au

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

3 years

@noahbarkin This is an extraordinary case of a democratic nation’s business community acting on behalf of the CCP. It’s behaviour the CCP wants to become normal.

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

3 years

Xi says Taiwan is a problem that shouldn't be passed to future generatons, tells the PLA & its Marine Corps to prepare for war, issues a PLA mobilisation order in January, kills the peaceful 1 country 2 systems option...Nothing to talk about here.

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

2 years

Germany relies on China for a key ammunition input, as does broader Europe. Globalised supply chains that hide dependence on authoritarian regimes like China's & Russia's are increasingly unacceptable.

Germany struggles to get China parts to replenish ammo stockpile

Supply of military aid to Ukraine is depleting Germany's inventory

asia.nikkei.com

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

2 years

After4.5 years, Friday is my last day at ASPI. I’m grateful for Peter Jennings’ insights, ideas & writing & for the company of a fantastic group of colleagues. It’s been a unique time to contribute to Australia’s security.

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

1 year

What misleading nonsense. UN Resolution 2758 is only about UN recognition of the PRC. It says nothing recognising Beijing’s claim to Taiwan.

United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 - Wikisource, the free online library

en.m.wikisource.org

倪明达 (Ni Mingda)

@NiMingda_GG

1 year

UN Resolution 2758 & the rest of the world (minus a few) recognise Taiwan as part of China. It's the PRC's prerequisite for diplomatic relations. So Taiwan Strait is Chinese waters as per UN Maritime Law. Yet the U.S. led West regularly violates it under the pretext of FONOPs.

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

2 years

Training an F35 pilot costs about $10m and takes years. To have them take that knowledge & train the Chinese military can undercut the combat advantage of Aust’s $16.5bn F35 fighter fleet. So, enforcing security obligations & clarifying our laws is vital.

Urgent investigation into claims China is recruiting Australian war pilots

An urgent investigation is underway into claims China has been headhunting Australian war pilots to train Chinese forces. Director of Strategic Insights Australia, Michael Shoebridge, says it’s...

www.3aw.com.au

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

1 year

Why does anyone still call Geoff Raby ‘former Ambassador to China’ & not a China-based businessman whose income has depended on the favour of the Chinese Government for years now? I was once a 9 year old primary school student, but that isn’t the key fact about me now.

Will Glasgow

@wmdglasgow

1 year

Former Australian Ambassador to China Geoff Raby awards Xi Jinping a “special distinction” for his statecraft and diplomacy before and after Putin’s invasion of Ukraine: “The war has been entirely to China’s advantage…”

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

2 months

It’s time for 80 year old Paul Keating to pass the baton to younger generations before he loses all respect and tarnishes his legacy.

@mhar4

2 months

"It would be like the Chinese saying to us, look, we think Tasmania..." No, it wouldn't be. Former Australian prime minister Paul Keating demonstrating his historical and strategic illiteracy on Taiwan. Kudos to @FergusonNews for challenging him.

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

4 months

‘The crowds were organised, transported, equipped & monitored by the Chinese Govt thru its embassy & state-linked groups. Far from spontaneous support for Li, it was a large Chinese state-organised propaganda & disruption exercise in Australia’s capital’

Cracks in the 'stabilised' relationship exposed during Premier Li's triumphal Australian visit -...

Strategic Analysis Australia

strategicanalysis.org

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

3 years

It’ll be lost in the noise around US-UK-Aust nuclear cooperation, but the 3 leaders agreed quantum tech cooperation today: very big news.

Five Opportunities for the U.S.-Australia Alliance to Lead

The U.S.-Australia alliance has demonstrated strength and utility. Now in its 70th year, leaders should leverage the alliance to prepare for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s threats.

www.csis.org

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

2 years

Senate candidate linked to Chinese government's foreign influence arm: ‘Dr Li said he was disappointed that his connections with the United Front groups were being raised’. No doubt that’s true.

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

3 years

Japan's new PM: Kishida's 'security & foreign policy reflects over 4.5 years as Shinzo Abe's foreign minister. Economic security is high on his agenda, as is Japan's military power. Good news for Quad, free & open Indo Pac

Countering China is top priority for Japan PM contender Kishida

Ex-foreign minister stresses Indo-Pacific partnership to stand against authoritarianism

asia.nikkei.com

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

5 years

So, Vodafone found backdoors in Huawei software giving Huawei unauthorised access to a network serving millions of Italian homes and businesses. Despite Huawei’s assurances, testing show the backdoors remained. That’s a problem for governments, telcos and businesses.

Fergus Ryan

@fryan

5 years

Vodafone Found Hidden Backdoors in Huawei Equipment

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

1 year

A credible explanation for Australia's very poor Ukraine military package is Defence had to absorb the costs, so it cobbled together items it had that wouldn't affect its own priorities. The result: some trucks & M113 vehicles the Army Chief said weren't good enough for the ADF.

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

1 year

It makes no sense to allow China’s protected & advantaged EV companies to get unrestricted market access to other economies. The Chinese state would use this market dominance as a weapon. De-risking has to apply to EVs.

China's BYD breaks into world's top 10 automakers with EV push

Tesla rival beats Mercedes-Benz, BMW in sales in first half of 2023

asia.nikkei.com

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

4 years

The Belt & Road Initiative isn't mainly about debt, but dependency: 'Beijing doesn’t aim to impoverish its potential clients, but to ensure...their national systems are fully oriented towards' consuming 'Chinese technology & services' says Vijay Gokale

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

1 year

I’m a little tired of reading Hugh White’s reformulation of “Resistance Is Useless”, as he tries to convince us that Australia and the rest of the democratic world is weak & hopeless while authoritarian China is apparently invulnerable & unstoppable.

@mhar4

1 year

"Why Australia's China strategy is dangerous" What is dangerous is an analysis that only maintains its internal logic by eliminating the Taiwanese from its equation of regional security.

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

2 years

"Chinese authorities asked Sony Pictures to delete the Statue of Liberty from Spiderman: No Way Home". Two things: this symbol of liberty is powerful enough inside China to worry the CCP, & the CCP's anxiety is raw.

Byron Wan

@Byron_Wan

2 years

Spider-Man: No Way Home was banned in China. Chinese authorities had asked Sony Pictures to delete the Statue of Liberty from the movie; Sony immediately said no. Then they asked Sony to ‘minimize’ it; Sony thought about this but ultimately passed.

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

4 years

Britain's plans to offer millions of Hongkongers visas & paths to citizenship needs other 5 Eyes' nations buy in, @AFP reports. It's the morally right action, upholds our values & adds talented people to our nations.

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

4 years

Of 24 Chinese-language media outlets, 17 attended united front’s overseas media forum, 12 had executives in united front groups, at least 4 seem to have had CCP funding or support. Global Times' reaction: no rebuttal, much hysteria. Report with evidence:

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

2 years

Ex-Royal Air Force pilots teaching Chinese military pilots tactics & techniques for cash is shocking. I'd like to be sure Australian ex-military pilots aren't doing this too. It's against everything these pilots signed up to protect & needs to be outlawed.

Ex-UK pilots lured to help Chinese military, MoD says

Up to 30 former UK military pilots are thought to have gone to train members of China's Army.

www.bbc.com

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

1 year

The CCP didn’t use Kissinger to improve relations. They used him to broadcast their talking points to a receptive listener delighted to be the centre of attention. Numerous formerly powerful people have this need.

Theresa Fallon

@TheresaAFallon

1 year

The CCP must be desperate—they are trying to use 100 year old Kissinger to improve relations.

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

2 years

These armed drones are for use against China’s own citizens. The CCP is not as confident in the love of all 1.4bn Chinese citizens as Xi likes to project to the world.

彩云香江

@louischeung_hk

2 years

Armed drones of the Chinese Armed Police Force.

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

7 months

The difference between Manila & Beijing in the South China Sea, as China knows, is that the Philippines is acting to protect its sovereign territory in accordance with international law, while China is breaking international law in attempts to seize others’ territory by force.

Collin Koh 🇸🇬🇺🇦

@CollinSLKoh

7 months

For one, Beijing also enacted domestic laws on its maritime zones in the early 1990s, so I don't see why Manila's move is any different. If PH authorities follow through, the new Act will "harmonize" with UNCLOS. In any case, isn't Beijing interfering with PH domestic affairs?

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

7 months

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit: the sounds of silence. The visit happened on Beijing's terms, with stage management & silences familiar to journalists & citizens in mainland China, but quite alien to Australia's open democracy.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit: the sounds of silence - Strategic Analysis Australia

Strategic Analysis Australia

strategicanalysis.org

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

11 months

“In return for Australian capitulation in the name of stabilization, Beijing has given up little beyond removing trade restrictions it was wrong to impose in the first place” ⁦ @lavinalee3 ⁩

Australia's Albanese paid a high price for his trip to China

Canberra no longer seems willing to stand up for rules-based international order

asia.nikkei.com

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

1 year

Australian can do more now to support the Ukrainian military. Giving more Bushmasters - & the Hawkei vehicles - will do 2 things: 1. add momentum to NATO efforts - and 2. show that Prime Minister Albanese hasn't forgotten the war the Ukrainian people are fighting.

Institute for the Study of War

@TheStudyofWar

1 year

NEW from @nataliabugayova : The debate about the US facing a “long war” in #Ukraine is misframed. Failing to resource all of the required Ukrainian counteroffensives — not just the next one — will protract #Russia ’s war & increase the risks for the US.⬇️

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

5 years

Why on earth has UQ not dismissed the Chinese Consul General from his Honorary professorship at UQ? Or at least called him to account against the UQ code of conduct?

Drew Pavlou 🇦🇺🇨🇾🇺🇸🇺🇦🇹🇼

@DrewPavlou

5 years

Update: “The court instructed the PRC Consul General, the University of Queensland, the Confucius Institute at UQ and the Chinese Students and Scholars Association, to provide any communications about the July attacks on Hong Kong protestors at UQ.”

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

2 years

Chinese government officials threaten an Australian artist’s powerful critique of the CCP & authoritarianism. Time for Australian diplomats in Europe to step up.

巴丢草 Bad ї ucao

@badiucao

2 years

My tour show is threatened by Chinese embassy twice in EU. I am an Australian citizen. But there is ZERO support from Australia government so far. This is unacceptable and shameful. @ScottMorrisonMP @AlboMP @MarisePayne @SenatorWong @AdamBandt #auspol

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

2 years

@vtchakarova @simongerman600 China - ‘neutrally partnered with Russia’ and India - too dependent on Russian hardware to say much - are big parts of this two thirds stat. So, the surface figure tells us less than you suggest.

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

3 years

'Xi has achieved the trifecta of change in just 5 years-getting Aust to shift from diesel to nuclear subs & getting the UK & US to share nuclear technology with Australia'. China's environment has worsened as a result.

Scrapping French submarine deal ‘absolutely right’ decision

The decision to form the AUKUS security alliance and scrap the French submarine deal is "absolutely the right decision," according to ASPI's Michael Shoebridge. "It's because our security environment...

www.skynews.com.au

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

6 years

So refreshing what everyone has known for years can now be said by the Aust, Japanese, Canadian, US, UK and other governments: The Chinese state steals commercial secrets from the rest of the world at scale. If you can't name the problem, you won't solve it. A great first step.

cameron stewart

@camstewarttheoz

6 years

Australia publicly accuses China of economic espionage operations against Oz as the US leads coordinated western condemnation of Chinese global hacking ops.

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

1 year

Aust Govt ‘Ukraine support’ fails to meet the lowest expectations.’70 military vehicles’ includes 28 trucks & 28 obsolete Vietnam-era M113s that were destined for the boneyard. If this is it, Albanese should stay away from the July NATO meeting.

Australia commits another $110m to Ukraine's war effort

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced another military support package for Ukraine worth $110 million.

www.abc.net.au

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

2 years

'A war may arrive in this decade, & the US must be prepared.' 'the simple reality is..the US would face serious difficulty in an extended trans-Pacific conflict' @ElbridgeColby So, Australia must produce, repair & sustain more of what it needs in war

Opinion | America’s Industrial Base Isn’t Ready for War With China

Washington must invest immediately in a domestic capacity to build and repair military hardware.

www.wsj.com

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

5 years

Denise Ho: ‘I would prefer to be arrested in Hong Kong than extradited to China’. Why does a Hong Kong pro-democracy voice get questioned for 30mins & asked if she has weapons as she enters Australia? Are pro-Chinese State voices treated this way? Actions must follow values.

Ian Hall

@DrIanHall

5 years

What on earth are we doing in this country? “Hong Kong democracy protester 'detained' briefly by Border Force as artists counter Beijing”

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

2 years

Australia's govt - & other PIF members - can't keep pretending Sogavare wants a democracy in the Solomon Islands. He's used Chinese money & will use Chinese security forces to stay in power. Now, like dictators through history, he's changing the Constitution to avoid elections.

Matthew C Wale

@MatthewCWale

2 years

So it's happening. PM Soga has submitted the Constitution Amendment Bill to postpone dissolution of the 11th Parl. I encourage citizens to use the Bills Committee process to air their views.

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

1 year

AUKUS: draft US laws ‘greenlight the sale of two Virginia-class submarines to Australia, permit the training of Australian nationals for submarine work and allow Canberra to invest in the US submarine industrial base.’

Pentagon seeks authority to transfer nuclear submarines to Australia

The Pentagon has asked Congress to authorize three new AUKUS provisions, including the transfer of nuclear-powered submarines to Australia.

www.defensenews.com

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

9 months

Ukraine and helicopters: Mr Albanese needs to dig Defence and Pat Conroy out of a hole of their own making

Ukraine and helicopters: Mr Albanese needs to dig Defence and Pat Conroy out of a hole of their own...

Strategic Analysis Australia

strategicanalysis.org

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

9 months

“Professionals with inside knowledge” say the Taipans are in a “variety of configurations. Some have been almost completely pulled apart, but many others are in far better condition” “12 to 20 Taipans could be reassembled without any great difficulty”

Australian government was informed of Ukraine’s interest in Taipan during October - APDR

An important element in the Australian government’s increasingly thin defence of its decision to scrap the Taipan helicopter fleet is that a formal request from Ukraine was only received on December...

asiapacificdefencereporter.com

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

3 years

Something unthinkable a few years ago just happened: Japanese destroyer escorts Australian vessel for 1st time. Practical cooperation to strengthen regional deterrence.

Japanese destroyer escorts Australian vessel for 1st time

SDF expands asset protection mission under 2015 security law to include Canberra

asia.nikkei.com

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

5 years

We need to clean out the WHO after this crisis. It is now a political outfit not a health outfit. It’s forgotten its purpose and that’s dangerous.

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

4 years

The Chinese govt wants us to believe its authoritarian model is best for fighting Covid, but a democracy with Chinese characteristics - Taiwan - is the beacon of global best practice, closely followed by other democracies: South Korea, NZ & Australia.

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

1 year

Beijing is making it easier for the Philippines to cooperate even more closely with the US, Japan and every other partner like Australia interested in sovereignty, maritime security and international law.

Ray Powell

@GordianKnotRay

1 year

The sharp-eyed @imosint may be on to something! Why would #China send a buoy tender to the Spratlys a week after the #Philippines deployed its buoys ()? Does this ship intend to remove the Philippines' buoys? @coastguardph @jaytaryela @TeamWESCOM

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

1 year

Australia can’t expect support for AUKUS in Washington if we don’t do our part. Deciding where the East Coast base now will leave just enough time to get it built by 2043. Big infrastructure projects in Australia are slow.

Australia needs to get cracking on an east coast submarine base

Australia’s submarine base to complement the one at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia, needs to be up and running when the Australian nuclear sub fleet starts to grow beyond the initial subs coming...

www.theaustralian.com.au

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

4 years

Victoria's BRI program's a zombie project, proceeding despite the world changing around it. It's undermining national cohesion on China. It must be halted & reassessed by Federal agencies who understand national security, technology & foreign policy.

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

7 months

“Voting against this bill is a vote for the Chinese Communist Party. The opponents of this bill aren’t defending free speech, they’re defending Chinese access to American data and American minds.”

Dan Crenshaw

@DanCrenshawTX

7 months

We just passed legislation out of the House that will separate TikTok from the Chinese Communist Party. You‘ve probably heard lies that this bill is a Trojan horse, or that it doesn’t solve every problem on planet earth. The truth is, this bill just says that TikTok can’t be

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

1 year

South Korea providing military supplies direct to Ukraine would be very good news in 2 ways: 1. ROK defence technology & production is first rate - & 2. It shows President Yoon understands the connection to security in the Indo Pacific.

Exclusive: South Korea's Yoon opens door for possible military aid to Ukraine

South Korea might extend its support for Ukraine beyond humanitarian and economic aid if it comes under a large-scale civilian attack, President Yoon Suk Yeol said, signalling a shift in his stance...

www.reuters.com

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

10 months

Awkward truths about US & UK AUKUS challenges. "Put together, the three reports show an alarming and growing set of challenges in front of Australia’s AUKUS partners when it comes to meeting their own submarine needs."

Awkward truths about US and UK AUKUS challenges - Strategic Analysis Australia

Strategic Analysis Australia

strategicanalysis.org

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

4 years

Tomorrow's AUSMIN is all about China, but our approach needs to escape the gravitational pull of US-China rivalry- because China is a challenge to many nations, not just a bilateral tussle with Washington, & what Australia does matters beyond Beijing & DC

Diagnosing the problem: it’s about China, and it’s more than the US–China show | The Strategist

It’s great that the Australia–US relationship, particularly its foreign, defence and security aspects, is getting attention with Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Defence Minister Linda Reynold’s...

www.aspistrategist.org.au

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

6 years

This narrative that conflates criticism of the Chinese Communist Party with discrimination against Australians of Chinese ethnicity is intellectually flawed and does the damage it says it fears.

China Matters

@ChinaMattersAUS

6 years

Gareth Evans says, @Asialink_au speech: in current climate of hyper-anxiety about baleful Chinese, & particularly CPC, influence in AU business, politics & unis, Chinese-Australians are going to find it even more difficult than they do at present to aspire to leadership positions

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

3 years

The ‘5 Nots’ of AUKUS: it’s not an alliance, not a replacement for the Quad, not a departure from engaging ASEAN, not a substitute for the 5 Eyes, or just about subs. It IS a technology accelerator to shift the military balance in the Indo Pacific.

What is AUKUS and what is it not?

What IS the new AUKUS partnership between the US, the UK and Australia? How does it fit with the Quad, ASEAN and other new forums like the government-tech Sydney Dialogue?

www.aspi.org.au

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

1 year

There are five reasons Australia needs to do more now to support the Ukrainian military. Only one is because helping 44 million people resist a murderously brutal invasion is the right thing to do.

4 selfish reasons to help Ukraine - Strategic Analysis Australia

Strategic Analysis Australia

strategicanalysis.org

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

1 year

‘Japan’s capital is quickly closing the gap with Beijing as global information technology companies and other businesses turn way from the Chinese city due to growing security concerns and U.S.-China tensions.’

Tokyo challenges Beijing as Asia's data center hub

Capacity in Japan's capital forecast to double in 3 to 5 years

asia.nikkei.com

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

9 months

A former Japanese envoy to the US said US presidential elections are like Christmas presents for Japan: ‘No matter what turns out to be inside the box when it is unwrapped, he said, Japan has to immediately respond, “This is exactly what I wanted.”’

2024 outlook: Asia shouldn't focus too much on Donald Trump

Framework for peace and stability that stands apart from U.S.-China faceoff needed

asia.nikkei.com

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

11 months

Australian Navy divers were injured by PLA aggression, but this seems not to have made the agenda btw Mr Albanese & Xi Jinping at APEC. What is leaders' dialogue for if not to say simple difficult things directly?

Missing his moment: PM afraid to say difficult things but comfortable leaving our military in...

Strategic Analysis Australia

strategicanalysis.org

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

3 years

Malcolm Turnbull tells us: ‘When we were at odds with China the Australian business community tended to side with China’ & ‘the Vice Chancellors in particular sided with China’. Doesn’t seem to be causing a ripple, despite being shocking & true.

@mhar4

3 years

Some droll comments on 🇦🇺🇨🇳 relations by @TurnbullMalcolm with @latrobeasia 's @becstrating for @latrobe Ideas and Society: The Challenge of China seminar.

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

3 years

It’s worth paying attention to what Lavrov & Putin think is at stake in Ukraine. Based on their 4 February meeting & their joint China-Russia statement, I think Xi agrees with his two Russian friends.

Visegrád 24

@visegrad24

3 years

“This is not about Ukraine at all, but the world order. The current crisis is a fateful, epoch-making moment in modern history. It reflects the battle over what the world order will look like" - Sergei Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister. Straight from the horse’s mouth.

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

1 year

This is good news! Those mechanical and warranty issues that were preventing Mr Albanese and Russell Hill from providing Hawkeis to Ukrainian soldiers fighting Russian forces now look to be resolved. We can get Aussie Hawkeis battle tested & help Ukraine.

Vasyl Myroshnychenko

@AmbVasyl

1 year

It's great to see Hawkei vehicles participating in Talisman Sabre, the largest Australia-US bilaterally planned, multilaterally conducted exercise.

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

2 years

A regime that operates like this is one other nations must give less leverage to. Diversification and digital decoupling is the minimum essential response. Business leaders have to stop trying to find new reasons to discount the risks of Xi’s China.

李老师不是你老师

@whyyoutouzhele

2 years

广州海珠区后滘约29日晚上11点左右发生群体事件目前具体原因不详。

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

4 years

There’s no equivalence between Canberra & Beijing’s espionage activities. Canberra doesn’t pollute other nations’ domestic politics or do broad-based industrial espionage. But Beijing’s threats increase risk of arbitrary arrest for Australians in China

Australia recruits 500 cyber spies as China tensions rise

Prime minister says digital attacks threaten the country’s economy and sovereignty

www.ft.com

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

3 years

China will vote at the UN General Assembly calling for 'peace & mutual respect' while hiding it's support of inhuman, war hungry material circulating in China. The Party State censors words like 'Peng Shuai' & 'Winnie the Pooh', so this is deliberate choice by Beijing.

巴丢草 Bad ї ucao

@badiucao

3 years

23. A viral video from China is advocating people to not share compassion with war victims in Ukraine but support Russia. The influencer has more than 12millions followers from 抖音Douyin（tiktok‘s Chinese mother company）and 快手 Kuaishou

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

3 years

@SariArhoHavren Oh dear. What a lovely world he lives in. It’s a shame it’s not around anymore.

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

5 years

Japan's 2nd new gen 3000 ton attack submarine began construction in 2018. It's estimated to cost US$640 million, be launched in 2021, enter service early 2023 & have lithium ion batteries. Fast delivery, attractive cost, modern technologies...

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

4 years

Imagine needing to get a promise to not be punished if you join an international inquiry into the causes of a global pandemic. Seeking such a promise shows an understanding of who you’re dealing with. Believing it is charming.

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

1 year

Remember how close Australia came to signing an extradition treaty with China under the previous Labor & Coalition governments- as part of what now seems a ridiculous Comprehensive Strategic Partnership?

Will Glasgow

@wmdglasgow

1 year

“It may look purely symbolic but it means someone like Kevin Yam, an Australian, will have to fly over many Asian countries which have extradition treaties with China before he can land somewhere safely,” @mcgregorrichard , a senior fellow at @LowyInstitute , told me.

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

3 years

Russian sovereign debt default likely. Loss of ‘most favoured nation status’ will open up more sanctions.

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

5 years

@CUhlmann @Riley7News @9NewsAUS @7NewsAustralia Not to forget that the ABC is also making a great contribution to public understanding- through online, radio and TV.

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

6 years

APEC shifts strategic momentum to US. Xi’s core problem is he isn't being believed. The gap between ‘open, inclusive, balanced, global economy’ words and Chinese actions are just too great to bridge. And the US, with its partners are devising alternatives.

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

6 years

This uncritical reporting by the SMH of Chinese military talking points is disturbing: it buys the idea the problem is the US, not China’s seizure and fortification of islands it now ‘must protect’ by force.

Bonnie Glaser / 葛來儀 🇺🇦

@BonnieGlaser

6 years

China has warned it may take “more countermeasures” against United States patrols in the South China Sea

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

7 months

Anyone but a politician who sold out their country to a foreign spy agency would have a bag on their head, & police forensic teams tagging & bagging all the electronic devices in their house. ASIO doesn't decide on prosecutions. Time for the Attorney General to do his job.

FEAR & GREED | Business News

@PodcastFear

7 months

Sean Aylmer talks to Michael Shoebridge about #ASIO 's startling claim that a foreign spy network allegedly 'cultivated and recruited' a former politician. Listen here 🔊

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

1 year

Xi’s policies on Taiwan, the Chinese economy & the US have all ‘hit a wall’ but no one around him can say so. The new Great Helmsman isn’t likely to change direction, because, like Mao before his end, Xi can’t have made mistakes: only those around him do.

Analysis: Xi opens Beidaihe with no elders but plenty of challenges

Secretive conclave to discuss Taiwan unification, sour economy and U.S. ties

asia.nikkei.com

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

5 months

PM Albanese not raising the PLA’s dangerous sonar use against the Australian Navy last year told Xi he needn’t stop. Now more lives have been threatened. It’s time for Mr Albanese to use his leader to leader relationship, pick up a phone & tell Xi to stop

‘Unsafe and unprofessional’: Australian Navy helicopter in near miss with Chinese fighter jet

A Chinese warplane dropped flares in front of an Australian Navy helicopter in international waters, in an incident Defence Minister Richard Marles condemned as “unacceptable”.

www.smh.com.au

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

3 years

US-China talks: Not much optimism here. Beijing using old plot: others have to give China concessions to show they want to ‘reset’ relations. Beijing just ‘clarifies’ it’s positions.

China presses U.S. to cancel tariffs in test of bilateral engagement

China said on Saturday it pressed the United States to eliminate tariffs in talks between the countries' top trade officials that Washington saw as a test of bilateral engagement between the world's...

www.reuters.com

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

5 years

COVID-19 has no nationality. COVID-19 originated in Wuhan. Without the Chinese Govt’s suppression of doctors reporting it, the world would have had a chance of containing it in Wuhan. Xi Jinping’s govt lost us all that chance.

China Xinhua News

@XHNews

5 years

Opinion: The virus does not have a nationality. Using racist and xenophobic names to cast blame for the outbreak on other countries can only reveal politicians' irresponsibility and incompetence

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

2 years

Anyone wondering whether the Chinese government’s efforts at political interference in democracies are real has their answer with this CCP-instigated protest against Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen visiting the US.

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

4 years

Racism against Chinese students in Aust is not a factor in Beijing's calculus. The Global Times inadvertently told the truth-Beijing's pressure's about the Aust govt acting in our national interests on the pandemic inquiry, freedom in Hong Kong, investment

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

4 years

Global Times' recycling Aust media reporting from 1995 & claiming a map, compass & money prove spying might be laughable, but it shows the risk of arbitrary arrest of Australians under the CCP's Party-controlled legal system is growing.

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

4 years

In times of weakness, the CCP traditionally sees confrontation as sensible. That's bad news, as now Beijing is in a weakened position internationally & struggling domestically - so aggression against India makes insane sense.

Bill Birtles

@billbirtles

4 years

A big story developing on China-India border:

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

4 years

Aust's new defence strategy requires an urgent increase in military power. The key is fast delivery on sovereign missile production, fuel security, & in-service autonomous systems. Plans & cash are there, but need to be accelerated to match the strategy

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

5 years

Taiwan's COVID-19 response is incredibly good. A similar sized population to Aust right beside China has 322 confirmed cases and 5 deaths. Aust: 4,800 cases, 20 deaths. Our PM and President Tsai need to talk. And we need to cooperate and learn.

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

4 years

The voices of rusted-on self-interest are already advocating we maintain or even increase our dependence on China. With Covid-19, the Chinese state has created unacceptable risks for the rest of us. That'll go on until we reduce the leverage we give them

The Chinese state and Australia’s economy: ‘snapping back’ must not mean business as usual | The...

The one thing Australia can’t do as we get the pandemic under control is ‘snap back’ to the old ways of doing business with the one-party state that is the People’s Republic of China. The ...

www.aspistrategist.org.au

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

2 years

Shinzo Abe is the father of the Quad, the vision for a Free & Open Indo Pacific, the deep Aust-Japan strategic partnership & of Japan as a force for good in regional security. His life is defined by achievements.

Collin Koh 🇸🇬🇺🇦

@CollinSLKoh

2 years

It was during Shinzo Abe’s term that Japan founded its Free and Open Indo Pacific vision. It’s also Abe who presided over formulation of the Vientiane Vision that reinvigorated defense and security ties with SE Asia. We will always remember your stewardship and contribution. 🙏🏼

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

3 years

Pres Biden has appointed Jim Miller, former top Pentagon official, to spearhead its plan to help Australia develop nuclear-powered submarines & the rest of AUKUS. A new position not in DoD & with direct access to the leader-not a bad idea. @WSJ

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

3 years

Peng Shuai wrote: ‘Even if I’m an egg throwing myself at a rock, even if I’m a moth flying at a flame, courting my own destruction, I will still speak the truth of us.’ Only Orwellian doublespeak can seek to airbrush this away.

Reuters

@Reuters

3 years

Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai said that she had never accused anyone of sexually assaulting her, and that a social media post she had made early last month had been misunderstood

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

3 years

China's defence minister Wei telling us the PLA 'should be considered 'part of the world's peace forces'' reminds me of Carrie Lam saying the brutal HK National Security law was all about bringing 'peace' to Hong Kong:

China fends off pressure over Taiwan in ASEAN-led defense talks

Japan criticizes Beijing's sea legislation; nations vow 'respect for international law'

asia.nikkei.com

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

2 years

Australia cancels it’s only near term armed drone program & buys more crewed helicopters. Ukraine uses armed drones to destroy Russian helicopters. Who here is making good choices?

OSINTtechnical

@Osinttechnical

2 years

Snake Island, a Ukrainian TB-2 hits a Russian Mi-8 as troops are unloading

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

3 years

Australia’s diesel, lead acid battery sub program with the French was taking too long & costing too much to get too little. Ending it was in our national interest, & entering the AUKUS arrangement is too.

Rod Lyon

@rdyn51

3 years

Sigh. ‘Mr Morrison has…deliberately deceived the French.” So tired of ex-PMs awarding themselves a free kick on Australian strategic policy. Australia is exercising its contractural entitlements to withdraw from the program.

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

2 years

Bigger news than Xi-Albanese if you're interested in substance: Japan's Fumio Kishida & South Korea's President Yoon 'held the first official summit between the two countries in nearly three years'.

Japan-South Korea summit promises push to 'resolve' wartime issues

North Korean threat brings Kishida and Yoon closer but hurdles remain

asia.nikkei.com

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

9 months

How is it sensible to refuse Ukraine's request for the now-retired Taipan helicopters & make plans to bury them instead?

Decision to bury Taipans dents our support of Ukraine - Strategic Analysis Australia

Strategic Analysis Australia

strategicanalysis.org

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

6 years

Beijing tries to tell us 2 things: the South China Sea is Beijing’s, and anyone not agreeing is a US puppet. Both are wrong. The SCS is an international waterway with overlapping claims. And many nations have interests in ending Beijing’s intimidation there.

Patricia M Thornton

@PM_Thornton

6 years

State-run #China Daily editorial: The UK should “refrain from being Washington’s sharksucker" after British warship sailed through contested waters in the #SouthChinaSea

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

4 years

Daniel Andrews: “I’m not quite sure what people are suggesting, rather we have a good relationship with China or..a bad one, or we send less product to China, rather than more,”-This one dimensional view shows he needs national security agencies' insights

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

6 years

Countries watched but did little while the Chinese State militarised the South China Sea. We’re now watching while 1 million Uighur people are interned. Watching isn’t setting any limits. What’s next?

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

3 years

BRI wedge tactics by Beijing have failed. Good decision by Minister Payne - although the Victorian govt could have understood the importance of cohesive national policy on China & not created the problem for the Feds to fix.

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

4 years

As EU puts sanctions in place for Chinese govt’s mass atrocities in Xinjiang, Beijing warns it will try to punish those who speak first (see Australia for notes). This is Xi’s ‘China Dream’ for anyone not in the CCP. Silence & acquiescence is the goal.

Stuart Lau

@StuartKLau

4 years

Ahead of EU’s human rights sanctions on Monday, China warned EU institutions “spearheading accusations” against Xinjiang policies will bear the brunt of planned countermeasures, while “individuals in EU countries” who have “behaved badly” will be punished.

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

2 years

Not all European leaders are fawning on Xi. Poland, Lithuania and other central European stares who’ve experienced Russian authoritarianism first hand before are pretty clear eyed about Xi & the CCP. Xi’s Moscow trip validates these concerns.

Jojje Olsson

@jojjeols

2 years

Especially after Xi's visit to Moscow, it must indeed be a bit strange to sit in Washington and watch European leaders fall over themselves to accommodate the most important ally of Russia in a war in Europa that the US is making bigger contributions to than the EU itself.

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

3 years

Elite unis say academics feel undervalued & it's the government's fault for not using their work more. Apparently it's also think tanks' fault for getting listened to here & internationally. Could it be about policy relevance instead?

Unis take a swipe at think tanks

Australia’s elite research universities have taken a swipe at the nation’s independent foreign policy think tanks, warning the Morrison government not to let non-university research have a “outsized...

www.theaustralian.com.au

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

2 years

On Mr Keating’s ‘advice’: ‘Turning away from powerful partners like Japan, India, the US & the UK & seeking stability through China’s role in the world is a fanciful path to hear from the mouth of a former prime minister.’

Keating singing from the CCP hymn sheet with AUKUS denouncement

Unfortunately, Paul Keating has given the Australian government and population the benefit of his advice on Australia’s relationships with our allies and strategic partners.

www.skynews.com.au

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Michael Shoebridge

@MichaelS_SAA

5 years

Huawei are hiring Obama’s former director of Cybersecurity policy, Samir Jain, as a lobbyist. He’ll be full of insights from his time in US Govt service and probably also have ideas on countering DoJ proceedings against Huawei. And somehow this sits comfortably with Mr Jain.

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