Kínai befolyás Ausztráliában

Absztrakt

This paper’s aim is to present the nature and extent of Chinese influence in Australia. For a number of years, Australia has experienced attempts by China to gain influence across a range of areas, including the economy, politics, higher education, Chinese social organisations and Chineselanguage media. Since its two biggest partners are the US and China, Australia is walking a tightrope trying to have a good relationship with both countries, which is made more difficult by Chinese attempts to gain influence. China’s activities have been at the forefront of public affairs in Australia since it was revealed in 2017 that the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation had previously warned the main political parties of the dangers posed by political actors with connections to the Communist Party of China. As a result, laws relating to political donations, activities done on behalf of foreign actors and espionage have been tightened. Laws relating to national security and the national interest have been invoked in order to block the sale of economic and infrastructural assets to partly state-owned Chinese investors. Laws, however, do not apply in the same way and are therefore less efficient in halting Chinese influence in the areas of higher education, social organisations and the media, sectors which are significant not least due to the high number of Chinese students/nationals and Australians of Chinese ethnicity. In these fields, efficient action against Chinese influence might involve ensuring that the relevant supervisory bodies operate properly and independently, freedom of speech is unimpeded and the media can perform its critical role without restrictions.