In 2021, the China Story blog is introducing a new VIEWPOINTS series, where we present a number of viewpoints from different people on the same topic. To kick it off, we asked three contributors (Nathan Attrill, Elena Collinson, and Kate Clayton) what they think the Australian Government should do this year to “manage” the bilateral … more
With official relations at a new low, it is easy to be pessimistic about Australia-China relations. But there are many actors involved in Australia-China diplomacy. These connections can help provide communication channels for when official relations are frosty. They also bring economic, educational and cultural benefits. I was at a webinar earlier this year where … more
Mutually beneficial trade links may appear tempting to use as political leverage in theory, but there are a number of reasons why the reality of attempting to put theory into practice is more complicated. Recent events in the Australia-China context make for a salient case study of why this is the case. Deep economic complementarities … more
Joe Biden’s policy vis-a-vis the People’s Republic of China (PRC) will ultimately be framed not only by the political, economic, technological and social conditions in the US, but also by the changing dynamics between the PRC and other countries in Asia. This, in turn, will shape Australia’s foreign policy choices as well. The beginnings of … more
This week’s topics: Zhao’s tweet, visa restrictions, MeToo and Archaeology 1. Twitter storm in a teacup Much ink has been spilled over China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Zhao Lijian’s controversial tweet and the subsequent Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s “emergency press conference”. Morrion’s strong reaction may make himself and others feel good for the … more
This week’s topics: 14 grievances, “China Challenge”, and Shi Yinhong 1. Beijing’s grievances against Australia The Chinese embassy listed 14 grievances as the cause of poor Australia-China relations in a document handed to Australian media last week: Nothing on the list should come as a surprise: all have previously been mentioned by Chinese officials … more
Confucius Institutes have always been controversial because of their links to the Chinese government and their physical location on university campuses. Academics, the media and the general public have raised concerns that they could restrict academic freedom, spread propaganda and allow the Chinese government to influence universities. In the context of increasing apprehension about China … more
The growing tensions between Australia and China are often attributed to external factors. But Australia’s policy towards China is also an expression of the Liberal–National coalition government’s domestic politics. It is the connection between domestic and foreign affairs that provides the political ballast for the government’s China policy. In both, ‘national sovereignty’ is invoked to … more
Concern about China’s creeping influence in Australia has dominated headlines in recent years. So it makes sense, from a national security perspective, to understand and engage with the very communities most at risk of China’s meddling: Australians of Chinese heritage. That’s certainly the view of Duncan Lewis, the former Director-General of the Australian Security Intelligence … more
In a year that has been harrowing in so many ways, these last few weeks have been particularly unpleasant for many of us involved in the increasingly ugly and fractious “China debates”. Well before Senator Abetz’s alarming inquisition into the loyalties of three Chinese-Australians, I had been reflecting on my own part in these debates, … more
