[LINK] 'Technology can not only advance freedom, but in these fast-changing times, it must.'

[Tom Worthington]

On 18/5/22 23:53, Stephen Loosley wrote:
> Enduring American Values Must Remain at the Heart of Foreign Policy 2.0
> By Bonnie Glick, Director, Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue  MAY 16, 2022
> https://www.nextgov.com/ideas/2022/05/enduring-american-values-must-remain-heart-foreign-policy-20/366972/

A very US-eccentric view.

> ... pro-democracy activists ...

One persons freedom fighter is a terrorist to someone else. For example, 
when they invade the US Capitol building.

> ... rule of law ...

Nations formulate international rules and laws to suit their interests, 
then choose which follow, and which to ignore. Those with more military 
and economic power can do this more. As China increases in wealth and 
military capability, its ability to formulate and ignore rules will 
match that of other major powers.

> ... Beijing has worked to corner critical links of the global technology supply chain—rare earth minerals ...

China invested in rare earth processing. Australia, the USA, and other 
countries chose not to invest, and so have to buy for China. The 
solution is to make the investment.

>... steal intellectual property ...

The national security agencies of countries routinely steal secrets from 
enemies and allies, for commercial purposes. As an example Australia is 
alleged to have bugged the Office of the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste 
to gain advantage in resource negotiations. 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia%E2%80%93East_Timor_spying_scandal

> China also is angling to control much of the digital infrastructure of emerging economies through its Digital Silk Road initiative ...

Criticizing a nation for acting it its own national interest is rarely 
an effective strategy to stop them. What is needed is an alternative 
strategy in our national interest. For example, I proposed to counter 
the education component of China's Belt and Road Initiative, by 
providing flexible, cheap, quality online learning to students in the 
Indo-Pacific. 
https://blog.highereducationwhisperer.com/2018/07/canberra-plan-2029-blended-learning-for.html

Had Australia invested heavily in online learning in 2018, we could have 
been ready to be the world leader by 2020, when COVID-19 struck. 
Instead, China has now moved into online learning, in English: 
https://blog.highereducationwhisperer.com/2020/04/china-pivots-to-international-e.html


-- 
Tom Worthington http://www.tomw.net.au