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Salient. Victoria University of Wellington Student's Newspaper. Volume 31, Number 6. April 9, 1968

'Fight in Vietnam or fight in Darwin?'

'Fight in Vietnam or fight in Darwin?'

"If we don't fight them in Vietnam we will have to fight them in Darwin." This view was rejected by Professor C. P. Fitzgerald at Victoria University last Tuesday.

China's basic "army training was for guerilla warfare in China itself" Professor Firzgerald said.

China's logistic ability was limited to two battalions he said.

Because of this. China had a defensive complex.

It was apt to be nervy about war and its risks.

Professor Fitzgerald said estimates made by both the Pentagon and the Rand Corporation of America showed that the Chinese naval and air forces were not powerful enough to undertake overseas invasion.

In Vietnam, the Chinese had supplied less arms than the Russians.

China's development of nuclear power had been rapid. In five to six years China could have a "fully-fledged nuclear system," Professor Fitzgerald said.

This could be used against its neighbours, but the Chinese nuclear testing sites were as close to the cities of Europe as to Australia.

"It is surprising that the Europeans do not lose too much sleep about it," he said.

In spite of reports about the violence and anarchy of the Cultural Revolution, which Professor Fitzgerald said were often untrue, exaggerated and grossly distorted, China's nuclear policy was remarkably moderate.

It frequently requested nuclear disarmament and assured the world it would never be the first to use nuclear weapons.

China's power must be respected, though this did not necessarily mean that it should be feared.

Chinese foreign policy, Prof. Fitzgerald said, was very much a non-event.

He could see no reason for believing that the Chinese had the "aggressive intentions accredited to them."

Since the Revolution, China had been particularly inactive. It had taken little advantage of the weaker surrounding countries—Mongolia, North Vietnam, North Korea, and Nepal for example.

This non-policy resulted from long experience which had taught China to apply "political, cultural and economic pressure, rather than military pressure."

The immensity of China would subject Australia and New Zealand to economic pressure.

Already the Australian economy would be upset by any restriction on China's wheat and wool.

A major customer—China —could not be treated as an enemy by Australia and New Zealand, Professor Fitzgerald said.

• A large number of those attending conferences at Parliament House came out on the steps to watch the demonstrations and flag-wavings below. Photo: Murray Robb.

• A large number of those attending conferences at Parliament House came out on the steps to watch the demonstrations and flag-wavings below.
Photo: Murray Robb.