Caution on the East China Sea
December
By Bob Carr
Note: This article appeared in The Australian Financial Review on October 16 2014.
As Australia’s Foreign Minister I had quoted several times an acute observation by Lee Kuan Yew. It was on the question of the future character of China. He said:
Zombie economics: the notion China is to blame for Australia’s property bubble refuses to die
December
Despite valiant efforts by commentators such as Bernard Keane and Michael Pascoe to slay claims that Chinese buyers are making it harder for ordinary Australians to enter the housing market, the
notion refuses to die. It is the “zombie idea” afflicting the Australia-China economic relationship.
And there is a danger the zombies will multiply. Last week the Australian Financial Review reported that China recently eased restrictions on outbound investment. The implication being “a fresh wave of capital [is] expected to make its way into the Australian property market”.
Weighing the risks for Australia as China rebalances
December
China’s leaders have been vocal in their support of a new growth model, one where consumption leads the way. Economic commentators fret about what this means for Australia.
One view is that economic pain lies ahead. As the rate of resources and energy-hungry investment in China falls, commodities such as iron ore and coal will not fetch anything like the prices they did a few years ago. Investment in the natural resources sector will dry up.
Why we shouldn’t be so worried about China buying the farm
December
Note: This article appeared in Business Spectator on April 23 2015.
It must be the least known part of the Australia-China economic relationship.
China’s required reserve ratio cut will nudge Australia along
December
China trade story takes an unexpected turn
December
Note: This article appeared in The Australian on April 2 2015.
Australia’s exports to China have taken a worrying turn, and the problem isn’t iron ore.
Playing the China card may win votes, but it’s bad for Australia
December
Competition the true marker of Xi Jinping’s economic reforms
December
Note: This article appeared in East Asia Forum on March 24 2015.
The usual assessment of Xi Jinping’s performance as China’s leader goes like this: since taking the reins at the end of 2012 he’s over-delivered on anticorruption and underwhelmed on economic reform.
Pragmatism rules in China relations
December
By Bob Carr
Note: This article appeared in The Australian Financial Review on March 23 2015.
Australia is not being swept up by America’s anxious agitation at China’s rise.
China has every incentive to make AIIB work
December
Note: This article appeared in The Australian Financial Review on March 19 2015.