, Columnist
Australia Must Stop Jumping at Chinese Shadows
Defense officials are scrutinizing Beijing’s investment at the Port of Darwin amid security concerns. There are bigger problems to worry about.
Somewhere, beyond the sea.
Photographer: Carla Gottgens/Bloomberg
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Paranoia is never a good basis for decision-making.
Australia’s Department of Defence ought to consider that in its review of the 99-year lease that China’s Landbridge Group took over the Port of Darwin in 2015. The department has been tasked with looking into security implications of the deal and advising whether Landbridge should be forced to give up the lease under laws governing critical infrastructure passed in 2018.