Perceptions Of China In Australia And The ’China Choice’

In June 2017,a Fairfax-ABC report brought to prominence a series of allegations that the Chinese government was carrying out a systematic attempt to infiltrate Australian government and society at various levels through a multi-pronged project of political influence.Domestically,the allegations lent new impetus to a wave of discourse surrounding Australia’s complicated relationship with the People’s Republic of China.Australia’s newfound China hysteria comes against the backdrop of what has been popularly dubbed the ’Asian Century’ in Australian public discourse,one in which China’s rise presents a constant dilemma for Australian policymakers—one so pertinent,in fact,that it has a name:the ’China choice’ — but also,the subject of sometimes contradictory public angst.Put simply,Australia would like to embrace the economic benefits of a trade partnership with China,already its largest trading partner,an aim that may contend with its long-standing allegiance to the United States,and what could be called the remnants of a Cold War ’fear’ mentality,one in which even private investments from the People’s Republic of China and its ruling Chinese Communist Party are subject to unique caution.To be sure,Chinese influence,whether that be in the form of private Australian-Chinese or Chinese citizens or simply international influence attributable to the sheer size and economic might of the Chinese nation,is real.But,as the present thesis will discuss,much of the hysteria is unwarranted,and in fact counterproductive.Ostensibly defending Australia’s sovereignty and interests,proponents of the ’China threat’theory serve,in fact,to damage domestic social cohesion,turn away legitimate investments and business,and unnecessarily position the independent nation of Australia as foe to China.This paper provides a brief overview of the possible historical,political and social explanations for the mentality that presently permeates Australian coverage of China,assesses the historical validity of what is often portrayed as a hostile relationship with the nation’s largest trading partner,and suggests a possible ’way forward’ for Australia in dealing with this complex relationship.