Australia must choose between United States and China: U.S. Army official

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A senior U.S. soldier said on Thursday Australia must choose between a stronger U.S. alliance or closer ties with China, and urged Canberra to take a tougher stance against Chinese claims in the South China Sea.
"I think the Australians need to make a choice ... it's very difficult to walk this fine line between balancing the alliance with the United States and the economic engagement with China," U.S. Army Assistant Chief of Staff Colonel Tom Hanson said on Australian Broadcasting Corp. Radio.
"There's going to have to be a decision as to which one is more of a vital national interest for Australia," he said, adding that this was his personal view, and not necessarily that of the U.S. government.
The comments follow the publication of a parliamentary booklet warning Australian lawmakers to treat Chinese motives in the region with caution.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-so...+World+News%29

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Re: Australia must choose between United States and China: U.S. Army official

And in Canada..

As Justin Trudeau tours China, the Canadian government is making clear it’s open for Chinese business, but it remains tight-lipped on the South China Sea, signalling a shift in allegiances some believe could cool relations with the United States.

http://news.nationalpost.com/news/ca...-away-from-u-s

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Re: Australia must choose between United States and China: U.S. Army official

Australia must choose between United States and China: U.S. Army official

The Pentagon, however, disputed the statement by U.S. Army Assistant Chief of Staff Colonel Tom Hanson, saying it did not represent the position of the U.S. government

"The idea that Australia, or any country, needs to choose between its longstanding ties to the United States and its emerging links with China presents a false choice," U.S. Navy Commander Gary Ross, a Pentagon spokesman, said in a statement. "Australia has strong, multifaceted ties with its Pacific neighbors, including China, just as we seek the same."

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-so...-idUSKCN1173AX