US President Barack Obama arrived in Australiatoday for a long-delayed visit. It is reported that Obama is going to announce an expanded USmilitary presence in Australia. The move is widely seen as a renewal of the US-Australia alliance to keep Chinain check.

It is also interpreted as a choice made by Australia between the US and China, the two largest Asia-Pacific powers. Prime Minister Julia Gillard refuted the interpretation Tuesday, saying that “it is well and truly possible for us, in this growing region of the world, to have an ally in the US and to have deep friendships in our region, including with China.”

Nevertheless, both Chinese and Australian media outlets know that this is merely diplomatic parlance. Some Australians worry that this unfriendly move will harm their country’s relationship with China, its largest trade partner.

Apparently, Australia aspires to a situation where it maximizes political and security benefits from its alliance with the US while gaining the greatest economic interests from China. However, Gillard may be ignoring something – their economic cooperation with China does not pose any threat to the US, whereas the Australia-US military alliance serves to counter China.

Australia surely cannot playChina for a fool. It is impossible forChina to remain detached no matter whatAustralia does to undermine its security. There is real worry in the Chinese society concerningAustralia’s acceptance of an increasedUS military presence. Such psychology will influence the long-term development of the Australia-China relationship.

People’s Daily Online (China)