China links demand to new maturity

In less than four weeks time, China will resume sovereignty over Hong Kong in what will be the most-watched political event of the year. China sees Hong Kong's return to the motherland as the end of colonial injustice imposed by Britain when it was a 19th century imperial power. China is approaching the handover as the righting of a wrong, but for its own political and commercial interests it also wants Hong Kong to work and work well.

China, the Middle Kingdom, is no stranger to an imperialistic mindset and the projection of power. It has a confident view of its place in the world and it fully intends to be accorded the respect it believes due.

Australia also needs to stay strongly engaged with China. It is a fast-growing market and ranks third behind Japan and South Korea among our Asian trade partners. It is both an important destination for Australian joint ventures and a growing source of investment. In resources and energy and agricultural commodities, the future for bilateral opportunities looks bright.

But Australia must aspire to more than just a commercial relationship with China. It must try to understand and deal with China across a range of other interests in politics, education, science, culture and society.

Australia is proud of its liberal democratic traditions and the importance it places on freedom of speech and assembly. No one would wish to see a crackdown on people in Hong Kong, say, gathering to remember the deaths of Chinese students in Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989. China is the country of most importance to our region in the 21st century and it is vital, therefore, that we build a mutually beneficial dialog with Beijing. That requires vision, leadership and the courage to put Australian views firmly, without hectoring, on fundamental issues, including human rights.

-- The Australian