It is almost a cliché that Australia and New Zealand
are canaries in the coal mine for Chinese attempts at
exerting political influence.
In fact, Chinese influence is
not a topic that affects just Oceania. It is already a serious
challenge that confronts all democracies and open
societies. According to Clive Hamilton’s “Silent Invasion,”
a Chinese diplomat who sought political asylum in
Australia told Hamilton that Australia’s openness,
relatively small population, a large number of Chinese
immigrants and commitment to multiculturalism have
weakened Australia’s capacity to recognize and defend
against the Chinese infiltration,
but all democracies and
open societies are susceptible to the threat
Topic:
Authoritarianism, Geopolitics, and Foreign Interference