[Australia Report] Prime Minister Gillard releases “White Book” on future policy

Julia Gillard speaks during a press conference at National Press Club on August 25, 2010 in Canberra, Australia (Photo: www.zimbio.com)

Amid the anxiousness of super power countries on the changing of global power that is predicted to take place in 20 to 30 years, Australia feels the need to reevaluate its foreign policy.

“Foreseeing future is risky, but the bigger risk is the absence of planning our own future. As a nation, we are facing options which are just go with the flow to our future or actively shaping it.” Australia Prime Minister, Julia Gillard said, according to a report by Vivanews.com.

It would take a year for Australia to reevaluate its policies on “The White Book” for its future policy.

Gillard would focus her policy towards Asia with focus on China and India that are projected to dominate world’s economy in years to come.

“Whatever happen in this century would lead to Asia’s global leadership. This is not only unstoppable but also Asia development grows rapidly.” Gillard said.

Releasing the 312 pages of the strategy documents, Gillard said that Australian has to change their mindset of Europe first and as Asian countries’ neighbor should go closer to Asia.

Since 1970s, Australia established diplomatic relations with China, Japan and other Asian Countries.

Now, China and Japan are Australia’s largest trade partners followed by United States and South Korea.

On the White Book, Gillard also said, “In this century, the place we are living now would be home for world’s middle class. We would be the largest producer and consumer of those products.”

On the security matter, she said that there is none that can be done to contain China’s military development therefore Australia can work with US while supporting China’s development.

But it is also important for China to be transparent on its military development to maintain the trust between neighbors.

Meidyana Rayana Intern Reporter news@theasian.asia