Opinion | Rick Duke, US envoy or emissary? The hidden message: China, a 'Russian ally' echoed by Australia

By Augustus K. Yeung

INTRODUCTION

What drama is going on in the Asia-Pacific region – as directed by the U.S.? Any clear-eyed person can see that the U.S. is staging a drama – with a political purpose. Suggested Erving Goffman's Theory of Dramaturgical Sociology.

The U.S.' "pivot to Asia-Pacific" strategy is shaping up in the region: first, it is disguised in the form of a trade pact; second, now it "prioritizes" in the name of clean energy when, in fact, the aim is to galvanize alliance into action for supporting its Asia-Pacific strategy, not to promote trade but to isolate, contain and constrain using the international forums such as universities.

How is the U.S. doing what it aims at?

The U.S. is sending Rick Duke, an "envoy" to Australia to drum up support for America, to vilify China by falsely and forcibly aligning it with Russia, (which Joe Biden, the U.S. president has painted as a "thug") hoping to kill two birds with one stone.

As the U.S. is far away on the other side of the world, it needs an echo chamber or two. 
This time (with Boris Johnson going, and Scott Morrison gone) Joe Biden can only pick one and only one ally, Australia to drag India (by hook or by crook) onto the US-led bandwagon, and singalong together, to go against China, which has also chosen not to condemn Russia for "invading" Ukraine in the UN resolution, same as India.

(What has China been doing in response as it gets hit here and there, now and then? Who is coming to China's rescue?)

ENTERED THE AMERICAN "ENVOY", RICK DUKE

Russia's invasion of Ukraine will accelerate the world's shift to renewable energy because of price shocks in oil and gas, a U.S. climate envoy said yesterday. Reported MDT/AP.

U.S. Deputy Special Envoy for Climate Rick Duke was speaking at an Australian National University forum after meetings with Australian government officials on bilateral cooperation in transitioning to net-zero greenhouse emissions by 2050.

Duke described the Russian invasion that began six months ago as "one of the biggest geopolitical drivers at the moment" for a global shift toward renewable energy.

"What has sometimes been lost in people's understanding of the reverberations on that front is that when you look at what countries are actually doing in response, it's going to accelerate the energy transition." Duke said.

"The European Union has tripled down on its efforts to deploy renewables and heat pumps and to electrify its vehicle fleet and otherwise respond to this crisis," he added. "That's going to take time, but the pace is quickening because of the conflict."

See how the US "envoy" puts the blame of price hike and inflation on Russia, not the US which imposes sanctions on Putin of Russia in the first place!

ECHOED BY THE AUSTRALIAN, KUSHLA MUNRO

Colluding Australia said it plans to reduce heavy reliance on solar panels manufactured in China, a "Russian ally", by diversifying its trading partner as the Australian government scales up its transition to renewables.

Kushla Munro, who heads the Australian government's International Climate Division, said Australia was focusing on India in developing an international collaboration on the production of solar panels and green hydrogen.

Australia had also prioritized green energy technology partnerships with Japan, South Korea and the United States to avoid the supply chain constraints that have arisen through the pandemic, Munro said.

The Australian government elected in May has increased Australia's 2030 emissions reduction target to 42% from the previous administration's goal of 26% to 28% below 2005 levels.

The United States is aiming for a 50% to 52% reduction by the end of the decade, according to MDT/AP.

See how Australia, the keen US ally in the Asia-Pacific region has planned to recruit India (which like China is focusing on economic development)!

CONCLUSION

What has Beijing been doing in response to Washington's "pivot to Asia-Pacific" strategy? As usual, China plays up its strength, economic development. But is this enough to counter the US' war of words?

Simply relying on its foreign ministry, however, China is not doing effectively in political rhetoric, and it is losing the information or media war to the US backed by Australia, especially Sky News Australia, which has been consistently distorting news about China. What should China do?

First, China should tab the human resources from Asia and America.

In Asia, we have seen Kishore Mahbubani, a former seasoned diplomat with ten years of experience as Singapore's ambassador to UN and now a scholar, manning the Li Yuan Yew School; his "Asian Peace Talks with Kishore Mahbubani" is helping the world to promote understanding of China.

George Yeo is another speaker who understands Chinese culture and politics. His knowledge of the situation should help the world to see China as it is, rather than being battered, or biased against simply for its rising.

Kevin Rudd, too, is a "guest speaker" to turn to; his Chinese language and understanding of China will help adjust the false complaint against China.

Second, China should step up its English language education.

China needs to think about using Mandarin when communicating with other countries. It should train a generation of diplomats well-versed in the English language, which gives the listeners or audiences a sense of rapport. And the former Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew is a case in point. Lee mastered English, he had also taken pain to turn the nation- state bilingual, making Singaporeans fluent in this international language of business, commerce and communication.

Third, and finally try to build ties that bind with Prime Minister Modi of India, before he falls into the "enemy camp"!!!

By then it will be too late – as this rising neighbor is too peaceful, too populous to be neglected;

China needs a long-term, reliable friend.

 

The author is a freelance writer; formerly Adjunct Lecturer, taught MBA Philosophy of Management, and International Strategy, and online columnist of 3-D Corner (HKU SPACE), University of Hong Kong.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of DotDotNews.

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