Sky News host Chris Smith has revealed what has "frightened" him the most this year about Australia's approach to China, saying the government has been "blind" to the communist state's intentions. He said up until the Chinese left container loads of Australian lobster "on the tarmac" at Shanghai Pudong Airport, the federal government was not "convinced that Beijing was using our trade deals, to punish us".
"Now that's a real worry, because it tells us that the government has been blind to China's intentions for too long and has been giving Beijing the benefit of the doubt in all circumstances. Mr Smith said "China's new fishing plan" in the Torres Strait is all about "control and access". "For Beijing to announce that China is building a $200 million major fishing port on Australia's doorstep, in the village of Daru, is not a coincidence.