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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Margaret Simons

‘Pretentious’, ‘hyperbolic’ and ‘irresponsible’: what was behind Nine newspapers’ Red Alert series?

The front pages of the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age on 7 March warned of conflict with China within three years complete with stark graphics depicting fighter planes advancing towards Australia.
The front pages of the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age on 7 March warned of conflict with China within three years complete with stark graphics depicting fighter planes advancing towards Australia. Composite: Fairfax

It was one of the most alarming front-page stories in the nation’s history. Last week, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age splashed the first episode in a three-part series with the headline: “Australia faces the threat of war with China within three years – and we’re not ready.”

The most likely cause of war, the articles said, was a Chinese invasion of Taiwan to which the US would respond.

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