Part 6/13:
Media narratives often paint the trip as a diplomatic win because it avoided public crises like arrests of journalists or provocative military exercises off Australian coasts. The reality, however, is far more complex and troubling. While the government claims victory for diplomatic standards, the military landscape tells a different story.
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is pivoting northward, purchasing new missile systems, exploring nuclear submarines, and conducting joint exercises with the United States. These steps are aimed at deterring or preparing for a potential conflict with China. Yet, astonishingly, the government continues to sell steel and raw materials to China—possibly funding the very military expansion that threatens regional stability.