BLUF
China’s leaders thought using trade with Australia as a weapon would change the Australian Government’s policy on China’s aggressive cyber hacking, political interference and growing military intimidation—but they were wrong.Summary
This article by Michael Shoebridge, writing for ASPI, makes the following points:
- Beijing has repeatedly misjudged Australia, and China’s track record of choosing political parties to back has been terrible.
- The chief of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) has made it clear that foreign interference activities by states like China now outweigh terrorism as threats to Australia.
- ASIO should get comfortable naming key individuals behind such plots and the foreign government they serve. Doing so will help our understanding and keep our democracy resilient.
- There is general bipartisanship on Australia’s China policy; both major parties know they need to have strong policies on China.
- Australian policy on China is bringing us even closer to influential friends.
RAAF Professional Military Education (PME)
References
Recent Runway Posts related to this topic:
- China's economy is cooling rapidly and Australia could feel the chill | The Runway (airforce.gov.au)
- Australia and the Growing Reach of China’s military | The Runway (airforce.gov.au)
References from the Web:
- FEB 2022 Naive cities extended China's influence and exposed Australia's interests to uncertain risk: ASPI—Canberra Times
- FEB 2022 Why Australia’s tough national security laws cannot stop foreign interference in our elections—The Conversation
