campusreview . com . au industry & research
Former PM Kevin Rudd addressing the National Press Club . Photo : Gary Ramage
Some of the political rhetoric … can actually undermine the success of our multicultural society .
Former PMs weigh in
Addressing the ‘ problem ’ with the China-Australia relationship .
By Wade Zaglas
Former Australian prime ministers Kevin Rudd and Malcolm Turnbull have recommended the coalition government dampen the domestic political rhetoric against China that has been building for more than a year while participating in the ‘ Ideas and Society Program ’, a webinar hosted by La Trobe University .
Turnbull said he was worried “ that some of the political rhetoric … can actually undermine something that is very precious , which is the success of our multicultural society ”.
During the wide-ranging interview , both former PMs commented and reflected on what ’ s been described as the “ lowest point ” in the relationship between the two countries since the Cold War . They also spoke about the effect this deterioration in diplomatic relations would have on the 1.2 million Australians of Chinese heritage .
Between 2015 and 2018 Liberal Prime Minister Turnbull implemented more robust espionage and foreign interference laws , which were suspected to be aimed at China . That aside , Turnbull focused on the importance of language at the moment , asserting that the Communist Party of China ( CCP ) was “ very ready to say any criticism of Xi Jinping ’ s regime or his policies is anti-Chinese ”.
He went on to tell the La Trobe event that the incumbent government must reiterate the message that “ Chinese people are part of our Australian family ”, and any issues or disagreements the government has are with the government of China , not its people .
RUDD WARNS ANTI-CHINA RHETORIC IN THE US IS INCREASING
Rudd , the Labor prime minister between 2007 and 2010 , and again in 2013 , told the webinar that anti-China rhetoric in the United States was making life “ dangerous on the streets for Asian Americans ”.
Indeed , the fluent Mandarin speaker and chief executive of the Asia Society said part of his mission was “ to roll back the tide of a growing racism in the United States against Asian Americans ”. Guardian Australia has reported that Asian Americans reported nearly 4,000 hate-related incidents during the pandemic and US President Joe Biden has signed legislation to counter such hate crimes .
In prefacing the Australian situation with the US context , Rudd made it clear that “ I don ’ t want to see that here ”. He told the La Trobe event that both Morrison and defence minister Peter Dutton have a proclivity to employ “ the rhetorical overdrive stick ” when trying to solve complex solutions with China .
“ When you start to play domestic politics with these things and start to crank up the fear of China in the domestic Australian political debate … that ’ s when you take a problem which is already five out of 10 in intensity and you turn it into an eight out of 10 problem ,” Rudd said .
SCARE-MONGERING , HYPERBOLE AND RIDICULOUS DEMANDS
While Turnbull said the Asian superpower was wealthier and stronger militarily than it has ever been , he also contended the country was “ less influential and less trusted ” on the international stage than in more recent times . He also stated that “ largely the people that have got to change course are in Beijing ”.
The list of 14 grievances issued by the Chinese embassy last year was “ truly one of the nuttiest things I ’ ve ever seen ”, Turnbull said .
“ This bullying exercise has failed , it ’ s been counterproductive , and more importantly , it is seen to have failed ,” Turnbull said . “ It ’ s getting written up in international journals , all around the world , as an example of the limits of Chinese power .”
In viewing Australia as a recalcitrant diplomatic and trade partner , China ’ s officials have accused Australia of adopting a “ cold war mentality ” and argue the problems in the relationship are “ all caused by the Australian side ”.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR CHINESE STUDENT ENROLMENTS IN THE FUTURE ?
If we are to encourage Chinese students to study at Australian universities and higher education institutions , Australia , as a society , must do better in understanding the effect both diplomatic rifts and COVID-19 has had on instances of racism towards people of Chinese-Australian background .
A Lowy institute survey of Chinese- Australians in the community found that nearly one in five had been physically assaulted ( 18 per cent ) and nearly one third ( 31 per cent ) have been called offensive names because of their Chinese heritage .
Earlier this year Campus Review also reported that a resurgence in Chinese students studying in Australia and New Zealand is unlikely in the near future , with education agents in the world ’ s most populous country reportedly closing their Australia-only desks .
Agents are telling prospective Chinese students to “ hedge their bets ” by applying to other countries , as Australia ’ s borders are likely to remain closed until mid-2022 , Times Higher Education ( THE ) reported .
The recent analysis by global education chain Navitas also showed the UK is now far more appealing to prospective Chinese students than Australia . ■
21