I really fail to see how the general thrust of this is missed by...

I really fail to see how the general thrust of this is missed by many Australians who seem to think that China would invade Australia for resources it can already procure cheaply - but, here it is - for interest

''If China were to aggressively pursue natural resources, it is more likely to focus on Mongolia rather than Russia or Australia. Mongolia is strategically positioned between China and Russia and is rich in renewable energy potential, particularly in solar and wind power. This potential could significantly impact China's energy security and reduce its reliance on Russian energy exports[1]. Beijing has already shown interest in developing renewable energy projects in Mongolia, which could be facilitated by existing and expanding infrastructure, such as the China-Mongolia rail network[1].
Mongolia's economic dependence on China, with China accounting for the majority of its exports, further highlights the potential for China to exert influence over Mongolia's resources[2]. While China has historically been cautious in its dealings with Mongolia to avoid straining relations with Russia, the growing allure of Mongolia's renewable resources could lead to a shift in this approach[1].
In contrast, while Australia is rich in natural resources and is a significant trading partner for China, the geopolitical and logistical challenges of aggressively pursuing resources there are more complex. The relationship between China and Australia has been strained in recent years, and any aggressive move could provoke a strong international response. Additionally, Australia's distance from China compared to Mongolia makes it a less immediate target for aggressive resource acquisition.
Citations:
[1] https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-i...china-russia-may-split-over-allure-renewables
[2] https://time.com/5953518/mongolia-china-russia-problems/
[3] https://www.reddit.com/r/geopolitics/comments/sb2mef/how_has_mongolia_managed_to_maintain_its/
[4] https://www.voanews.com/a/mongolia-...st-without-alarming-china-russia/7743595.html
[5] https://asiapacificcurriculum.ca/learning-module/chinese-migrations-mid-late-19th-century
[6] https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/territorial-disputes-south-china-sea
[7] https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/between-rock-and-hard-place-mongolias-ambivalent-relations-china
[8] https://media.defense.gov/2023/Oct/...S-INVOLVING-THE-PEOPLES-REPUBLIC-OF-CHINA.PDF