Page 22 - The Giant Awakens - A Collection of Insights into Chinese Government Influence in Australia
P. 22
Picking apart what is detrimental to Australian values and what
represents an alternative and inevitable facet of our deepening
relationship with China can be demanding.
PHOTO: EMILY ZHANG
Beware the China Alarmists Out There
Linda Th e q u a n d a r y o v e r Australians to formulate policy the assumption that “Chinese” towards a thriving multicultural
Jakobson what to do about the recommendations on this issue. are on a mission for the People’s society, while we must keep our
People’s Republic of Republic government. Anecdotal focus on preserving the values
We have probably China government influence Our board decided from evidence suggests that members that underpin Australia.
glimpsed only in Australia has burst on to the the start that we do not accept of diverse Australian-Chinese
the tip of the political scene. For the past money from People’s Republic of communities already feel they Black-and-white portrayals of
iceberg in our months there has been ongoing China sources, either individuals are being labelled by the tone of China’s interests are detrimental,
understanding media commentary about or companies. China Matters media reporting. whether overly positive or
of the inroads the consequences of political relies on a mixture of Australian intensely negative. The insistence
the Chinese donations by businessmen government and corporate Others, in turn, feel squeezed. of the Australia-China Relations
government with Chinese connections; funding. We sought membership When people representing Institute that it takes “an
wishes to make and a piece in The Australian in the Australian Charities and Chinese interests engage with optimistic and positive attitude”
into Australian Financial Review claimed that Non-for-profit Commission, Australian society, Chinese towards the China relationship
society. As hundreds, if not thousands, of which expects its members interests are often pitted against is hardly a neutral starting point
China’s power Chinese citizens in Australia to make public their funding Australia’s interests and values for unbiased work. In the same
grows we should are gathering information for sources and operational costs. such as freedom of speech. vein it is unhelpful that people
be prepared for Chinese authorities. They also call into question the at the Australian Strategic Policy
further attempts China Matters, for the most essence of our political system Institute automatically assume
to wield influence. These are contentious issues, part, discusses sensitive issues while putting pressure on actions in Australia by any
ones that cause unease within behind closed doors. This is Australians of Chinese descent Chinese state-owned enterprise
22 the government, among public to enable a frank exchange by appealing to solidarity among is part of a strategic plan to gain
servants and citizens at large. between people from different people who share a common influence.
backgrounds and views without Chinese civilisational heritage.
China is not only Australia’s the sort of public uproar that There is no more complex
largest trading partner and has taken place following news Obviously each case of but consequential challenge for
the source of growing foreign reports of influence-buying influence should be examined Australian policymakers than
direct investment. Chinese- by Chinese individuals and on its own merits. Painting getting Australia’s relationship
derived funds also support entities. Without doubt these with a broad brush will only with China right. Nuance and
Australia’s higher education cases serve as red flags. It is exacerbate xenophobic reporting realism, as well as perseverance
sector, media organisations, not in Australian interests to and increase tensions among and agility, will all be essential
research initiatives such as allow foreigners to influence Chinese communities. to navigate the maze of
the Australia-China Relations the political process, nor should controversies of dealing with
Institute, and individual they be allowed to affect the However, even picking apart a society so different from our
politicians and political parties. curriculum at an Australian what is detrimental to Australian own.
We have probably glimpsed university. values and what represents an
only the tip of the iceberg in our alternative and inevitable facet This article originally appeared inThe
understanding of the inroads the But hysteria is not a response. of our deepening relationship Australian on 23 September 2016
Chinese government wishes to These issues and the allegations with China can be demanding. and is reprinted with permission.
make into Australian society. As associated with them risk tearing When is a foreign official being
China’s power grows we should apart social cohesion and pitting manipulative? When is it part Linda Jakobson is the CEO and
be prepared for further attempts Australians against Australians. of what most diplomats do for Founding Director of China Matters.
to wield influence. The issues must be discussed a living, which is projecting Her most recent book, written with
and managed with common a positive image of their Dr Bates Gill, is China Matters:
I have grappled with the sense, an understanding of the country and its interests? An Getting It Right for Australia (La
sensitivities associated with facts and impartiality. important first step is to demand Trobe University Press / Black Inc.,
Chinese influence in Australia transparency from Australian 2017). From 2011 to 2013, she served
since establishing China There are nearly one million individuals and institutions, as as the Lowy Institute’s East Asia
Matters, a public policy Australians with Chinese well as from Chinese citizens Program Director. Before moving to
initiative, last year. We aim to ancestry. Close to a half-million and institutions that seek to Sydney in 2011, she lived and worked
inject nuance and realism into residents in Australia were born influence Australian society. in China for 22 years and published
discussions about Australia’s in the People’s Republic of China. six books on Chinese and East Asian
ties with China. Our goal is to There are 150,000 Chinese We cannot lose sight of China’s society.
advance sound policy. This week nationals studying here. No one impact on Australian prosperity For more information visit:
we convened 30 prominent should be allowed to stigmatise and the contribution of chinamatters.org.au/
or implicate Chinese people on Australian-Chinese communities
2017 Vision Times Special Edition
represents an alternative and inevitable facet of our deepening
relationship with China can be demanding.
PHOTO: EMILY ZHANG
Beware the China Alarmists Out There
Linda Th e q u a n d a r y o v e r Australians to formulate policy the assumption that “Chinese” towards a thriving multicultural
Jakobson what to do about the recommendations on this issue. are on a mission for the People’s society, while we must keep our
People’s Republic of Republic government. Anecdotal focus on preserving the values
We have probably China government influence Our board decided from evidence suggests that members that underpin Australia.
glimpsed only in Australia has burst on to the the start that we do not accept of diverse Australian-Chinese
the tip of the political scene. For the past money from People’s Republic of communities already feel they Black-and-white portrayals of
iceberg in our months there has been ongoing China sources, either individuals are being labelled by the tone of China’s interests are detrimental,
understanding media commentary about or companies. China Matters media reporting. whether overly positive or
of the inroads the consequences of political relies on a mixture of Australian intensely negative. The insistence
the Chinese donations by businessmen government and corporate Others, in turn, feel squeezed. of the Australia-China Relations
government with Chinese connections; funding. We sought membership When people representing Institute that it takes “an
wishes to make and a piece in The Australian in the Australian Charities and Chinese interests engage with optimistic and positive attitude”
into Australian Financial Review claimed that Non-for-profit Commission, Australian society, Chinese towards the China relationship
society. As hundreds, if not thousands, of which expects its members interests are often pitted against is hardly a neutral starting point
China’s power Chinese citizens in Australia to make public their funding Australia’s interests and values for unbiased work. In the same
grows we should are gathering information for sources and operational costs. such as freedom of speech. vein it is unhelpful that people
be prepared for Chinese authorities. They also call into question the at the Australian Strategic Policy
further attempts China Matters, for the most essence of our political system Institute automatically assume
to wield influence. These are contentious issues, part, discusses sensitive issues while putting pressure on actions in Australia by any
ones that cause unease within behind closed doors. This is Australians of Chinese descent Chinese state-owned enterprise
22 the government, among public to enable a frank exchange by appealing to solidarity among is part of a strategic plan to gain
servants and citizens at large. between people from different people who share a common influence.
backgrounds and views without Chinese civilisational heritage.
China is not only Australia’s the sort of public uproar that There is no more complex
largest trading partner and has taken place following news Obviously each case of but consequential challenge for
the source of growing foreign reports of influence-buying influence should be examined Australian policymakers than
direct investment. Chinese- by Chinese individuals and on its own merits. Painting getting Australia’s relationship
derived funds also support entities. Without doubt these with a broad brush will only with China right. Nuance and
Australia’s higher education cases serve as red flags. It is exacerbate xenophobic reporting realism, as well as perseverance
sector, media organisations, not in Australian interests to and increase tensions among and agility, will all be essential
research initiatives such as allow foreigners to influence Chinese communities. to navigate the maze of
the Australia-China Relations the political process, nor should controversies of dealing with
Institute, and individual they be allowed to affect the However, even picking apart a society so different from our
politicians and political parties. curriculum at an Australian what is detrimental to Australian own.
We have probably glimpsed university. values and what represents an
only the tip of the iceberg in our alternative and inevitable facet This article originally appeared inThe
understanding of the inroads the But hysteria is not a response. of our deepening relationship Australian on 23 September 2016
Chinese government wishes to These issues and the allegations with China can be demanding. and is reprinted with permission.
make into Australian society. As associated with them risk tearing When is a foreign official being
China’s power grows we should apart social cohesion and pitting manipulative? When is it part Linda Jakobson is the CEO and
be prepared for further attempts Australians against Australians. of what most diplomats do for Founding Director of China Matters.
to wield influence. The issues must be discussed a living, which is projecting Her most recent book, written with
and managed with common a positive image of their Dr Bates Gill, is China Matters:
I have grappled with the sense, an understanding of the country and its interests? An Getting It Right for Australia (La
sensitivities associated with facts and impartiality. important first step is to demand Trobe University Press / Black Inc.,
Chinese influence in Australia transparency from Australian 2017). From 2011 to 2013, she served
since establishing China There are nearly one million individuals and institutions, as as the Lowy Institute’s East Asia
Matters, a public policy Australians with Chinese well as from Chinese citizens Program Director. Before moving to
initiative, last year. We aim to ancestry. Close to a half-million and institutions that seek to Sydney in 2011, she lived and worked
inject nuance and realism into residents in Australia were born influence Australian society. in China for 22 years and published
discussions about Australia’s in the People’s Republic of China. six books on Chinese and East Asian
ties with China. Our goal is to There are 150,000 Chinese We cannot lose sight of China’s society.
advance sound policy. This week nationals studying here. No one impact on Australian prosperity For more information visit:
we convened 30 prominent should be allowed to stigmatise and the contribution of chinamatters.org.au/
or implicate Chinese people on Australian-Chinese communities
2017 Vision Times Special Edition
