AUSTRALIA has been a huge beneficiary of the opening of China and the subsequent explosion of demand for virtually everything that that country and its people needed and desired.

With decades of strong earnings from tourism, education, services and commodities, it seemed logical – and a very Australian mindset – to do away with Old World industries, those labour intensive and environmentally unfriendly.

‘God’s Country’ truly seemed blessed. Then things turned sour, and were made worse by, yes, the Australian mindset: we are European, thank you very much. Or: we are white, not Asian.

In the face of blatant xenophobia and racism, is it any surprise that their biggest customer takes a step back to reconsider the situation?

How is the Australian leadership handling the crisis? They seem to be taking the cue from Trump: act tough and get in their face. Really?

Are they seriously believing that they can gleefully annoy their biggest customer and hope for the best? Surely not when her people are addicted to the easy and good life?

With the benefit of hindsight, the nationalists are playing the blame game, of how they had forsaken their once much vaunted technological and manufacturing prowess; of how they have become so dependent on one major customer.

A pitiable performance accompanied by a lot of bitterness and unreasonableness.

If the Chinese people assert their nationalistic tendencies, the Australian economy is going to be in serious trouble.

Then all their assets will be for the taking and it will not only be the Chinese taking advantage because Australia is literally a goldmine: God’s Country. Every smart investor wants a piece of it.

Things are screwed up because many of her people forget who is paying for their good life and their misguided sense of pride forbids them to eat humble pie.

It is not like the Chinese are asking the Australians to kowtow to them. Actually, that’s not such an outrageous suggestion; just observe how the Japanese treat their customers, such grace, a gesture between equals.

Therein lies the problem. As much as the Aussies desire Chinese money, there is no sense of being equals, in behaviour, manners, class and culture.

Yet, they are finding out that the desire for respect is universal. – June 15, 2020.

* Mel Lee reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.