The signing of RCEP by Australia, New Zealand and Japan along with China with ASEAN nations was an important step towards growing Chinese stature in the world. It was significant in the light of the fact that America and India opted out of it as they couldn't get favourable terms. It was a huge success for China as it is the dominant partner in the so far biggest grouping of nations entering into a Free Trade Agreement covering almost thirty percent of global trade. Hardly the ink of this agreement dried up that China took a very bad decision. It handed out fourteen points of demand rather than warning which was released to  two Australian newspapers and one electronic channel which is a clear cut affront to the sovereignty of Australia. The demands are poor in taste as it is an encroachment upon the independence and dignity of Australia. The language of these demands is harsh and hurting and is bound to make a friend an enemy. What is most insulting is the fact that these demands were not placed before the Australian government diplomatically, but through electronic and print media. It is an insult to the people of Australia and as a result the Australian perception of China plummeted to a new low of 81 percent negative as per a survey conducted by the Pew RESEARCH CENTRE. The Chinese arrogance has crossed all limits and it is bound to backfire.

The salient points of this charter of demands are that Australia should not block Chinese investment projects, Huawei should be allowed to participate in 5 G trials, visas of Chinese scholars shouldn't be revoked etc.

The catch is that these Chinese scholars indulged in other objectionable things in addition to their academic pursuits. Australia had recently demanded an investigation into the beginning of the spread of COVID 19 virus from Wuhan and China took it as an act of hostility against it and blamed Australia that it did so under American pressure. This is a clear cut attempt to armtwist Australia into submission and to agree to whatever China proposes.

This is poor diplomacy and it takes you nowhere. The Government of Australia rejected these demands outright and said that it cannot be coerced or dictated by any nation including China putting the latter in an un-envious situation of carrying out its threat which is not easy in modern times.

Thus, Australia is ready to take on China and she is not all alone as she is a member of the powerful Five Eyes Group which includes America, Britain, Canada and New Zealand. This is for the second time that China has played it wrong. Earlier, she played it wrong with India when she made unwarranted incursions into the Indian Territory and she was taken by surprise by the swift and bold reaction of the Indian armed forces which inflicted more casualties on their Chinese counterpart. India also captured strategic heights by pursuing an aggressive policy to the total bewilderment of the Chinese forces. The standoff has been going on since then. India has already called the bluff of China and Australia is on her way to repeat this. In case of a war with India, the myth of the Chinese invincibility, in all probability, would be exploded.

Xi Jinping has picked up disputes and quarrels with her immediate neighbours as well as far off nations like America and Australia which is bad diplomacy. The Chinese language of communication is medieval in tone and tenor and she would be declared technically an aggressor in case a war breaks out with her adversaries. The nuisances of diplomacy demand soft and subtle moves and not hard-hitting insulting words that Chinese spokesperson used in the charter of fourteen demands that were made through Australian newspapers. Such statements are political harakiri and China would lament her mistakes in the months to come.

Australia has decided to develop a closer military relationship with Japan than before. The Australian troops would be stationed in Japan which is a big development as it shows the willingness of both Japan and Australia to take on China.

This development would definitely rub China the wrong way. The Malaysian Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohammed has already cautioned the Philippines not to get into the debt trap of China. All this means that China has pushed her weak neighbours to the wall and they have no option but to confront China come what may. Xi Jinping has frittered away the advantages China had  in a world where America was losing out.

The political uncertainty in America as to who has really won the presidential election would linger even though Biden has won officially and this will make Xi Jinpiing commit more mistakes in the absence of any serious challenge from anywhere.

The writer is Registrar, Vinoba Bhave University, Hazaribag and a passionate writer. The views expressed in the article are his own.