Monty, it's known as having been next to the Chinese for about a thousand years and a friggin' thing changing.
You see, it's different when a country that has to answer to its people becomes strong compraed to when a country where the people have to answer to the country becomes strong.
When the latter has been true, we've had World War I, World War II, the Napoleonic Wars etc.
THAT is why I don't like any of this.
If China was a democracy, things could be different.
Also maybe you missed out, but while NATO was doing their thing in the West, we in the east were doing the same thing. If China gains control of East Asia and Southeast Asia (pressure and not direct military force can do this as well), then Europe and the US's position in this world becomes even more difficult.
Can you imagine what potential power China + Taiwan + Korea and the riches of Southeast Asian natural resources would bring in to the Chinese? Do you know that China already has big influence in Southeast Asia thanks to its extremely successful Chinese populations in Indonesia, Mayalsia and Singapore?
And suddenly, Australia won't seem that relaxed anymore.
I guess New Zealand will be safe because there's nothing to gain from taking it or pressuring them into doing anything... unless there's a shortage of wool.