Australia faces the reality of the 21st Century. Others are bound to follow.
BBC: “Australian PM Julia Gillard has outlined a major foreign policy plan aimed at improving Asian ties.
A government white paper sets out 25 national objectives to be met by 2025, with targets ranging from improving trade links to teaching more Mandarin.
Mrs Gillard said she wanted to refocus Australia away from Europe’s “old countries” towards its near neighbours – particularly China and India.
The plan is detailed in a 312-page paper, Australia in the Asian Century.
With Asia on track to become home to most of the world’s middle class in the next 20 years, this was a moment in history to grasp, said Mrs Gillard during the release of the white paper at Sydney’s Lowy Institute.
“The scale and pace of Asia’s rise is staggering, and there are significant opportunities and challenges for all Australians,” she said.
“It is not enough to rely on luck – our future will be determined by the choices we make and how we engage with the region we live in.””
via BBC News – Australia PM Julia Gillard outlines Asia manifesto.
CHINDIA ALERT: You'll be living in their world, very soon 