Waking in Fright to the Problem of China by James Reed

A number of academics and journalists are beginning to think critically about China. This contrasts with the cargo cult attitude of the former prime minister who did so much to make Australia a part of Asia with his massive Asian immigration programme – John Howard. Don’t ban Chinese political donations he says (The Australian, September 12, 2016, p. 4) even though “we are living in this quite unique situation where we’re dealing with an authoritarian communist country which has a dominant economic influence in this country.”

That, in my opinion, is just incoherent. An authoritarian communist country is something to be feared, by definition! The Liberals have clearly forgotten the meaning of the word “liberalism.”

Professor emeritus Paul Dibb (“Local Allegiance to the People’s Republic Fuels Investment Concern,” The Australian, September 6, 2016, p. 12), points out that there is reason for concern:

“We have a dangerous case on our hands with a group of people who are not integrating.”

These are Chinese nationals who have allegiance to Beijing rather than Australia. Many Chinese and Chinese foreign students, he believes, are pro-Chinese government, raising an issue about national security.

Indeed, it does. If there is a war against China, and China calls on these supporters, what happens then? This problem of dual allegiances was once one of the core arguments against creating a multicultural/multiracial society, before the age of reason ended.

Confucius Says:
As described by Jennifer Oriel (The Australian, September 12, 2016, p. 10), China is also advancing its “soft power” through means such as financing Confucius Institutes at universities across the West. While the study of a great philosopher such as Confucius seems good, the Centres are different:

“members of the Chinese political class indicate their purpose is not objective research in the time-honoured academic tradition but pro-Chinese Communist Party propaganda.”

The American Association of University Professors agreed and said in 2014 that these centres are an “arm of the Chinese state.” They are part of China’s overseas propaganda machine, but the universities are happy to go along for the ride. They simply love money.