（SMH）By Fergus Hunter 27 March
2018
A group of leading Australian academics has penned an open letter to
declare vigorous support for the national debate about Chinese Communist
Party-linked influence and interference, expressing a firm belief that the
scrutiny is "essential" and not motivated by racism.
According to the scholars, who describe themselves as "deeply
concerned", the debate is necessary to confront Beijing-linked influence
activities in Australia and protect the nation's intellectual freedom,
democratic rights and national security.
The message is a public response to a letter released last week by a
separate group of academics – including renowned expert Geremie Barmé and the
first Australian ambassador to China, Stephen Fitzgerald – that urged the
Turnbull government to delay its foreign influence legislation and warned that
Chinese Australians are being stigmatised in an increasingly polarised debate.
That group said the debate needed to calm down and expressed
scepticism that China was exporting its political system to Australia or
undermining Australian sovereignty.
The new letter rejects "self-censorship", defends the current debate and argues
Australia's "mature multicultural society" has the capacity to
discuss these issues without escalating ethnic tension.
The government announced legislation to curb foreign influence and
interference in December. Although the proposed laws are not specifically
targeted at China, the new policy was announced following intense scrutiny of
CCP-linked activities, including in the case of former Labor senator Sam
Dastyari.
Chinese-Australian bilateral relations have been strained since
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said he took reports of CCP interference
"very seriously" while the book Silent Invasion published by academic
Clive Hamilton last month also created controversy. Some observers including
Race Discrimination Commissioner Tim Soutphommasane have called on the debate
to be conducted without inflaming prejudice against Chinese Australians.
However, the scholars supporting the debate argue Chinese
Australians were among the main "initiators and drivers" of the
public discussion.
"It is vital that the debate is driven by fact-based research
and reporting rather than sensationalism or racism," their letter
says. "It is also vital that this
debate is not stifled by self-censorship. We firmly believe the current debate
is not characterised by racism and that it is crucial for Australia to continue
this debate."
It is signed by more than 20 specialists including La Trobe
University professor James Leibold, University of Technology Sydney professor
Feng Chongyi, the University of Adelaide's Gerry Groot, Swinburne University’s
John Fitzgerald, Australian National University researcher Adam Ni, ANU
National Security College head Rory Medcalf, Griffith University professor Ian
Hall and Monash University emeritus professor Bruce Jacobs.
The group says all racism should be condemned and points to a
"critical need" to clearly distinguish between Chinese people as a
whole and the CCP.
"We are mindful also that racism is precisely the accusation
that is encouraged and levelled by the CCP itself as it tries to silence the
current discussion," the academics say.
"Should the CCP’s operations of interference be allowed to
continue in Australia, they will fuel divisiveness between Chinese communities
and other Australians, weaken the Australian government’s ability to
communicate with Chinese communities and harm the democratic rights of Chinese
Australians."
The letter notes rising global concern around "covert and
sometimes coercive activities" connected to the Chinese government and
notes the "extraordinary" public warnings from intelligence agency
ASIO about foreign interference in Australia.
"Identifying, recognising and winding back CCP interference as
an unacceptable and counterproductive part of bilateral engagement is a step
towards developing a healthy China-Australia relationship over the long
term," the academics contend.
They outline a belief that the CCP has, in some cases, sought to
restrict Australians' personal freedoms, impede democratic processes and affect
national security, potentially undermining Australia's interests and
sovereignty.
They warn the government and civil society to be vigilant about the
threat of espionage, interference in elections, control of Chinese-language
media, political influence, control of Chinese community and university groups,
interference in academic freedom, cultivation of prominent Australians and
covert organisation of rallies.
Authorities should be prepared to respond appropriately where clear
evidence of such activities exists, according to the academics. The letter
recognises a need for up-to-date laws but notes mixed views in the group around
the government's legislation aimed at curbing foreign influence and
interference.
https://amp.smh.com.au/politics/federal/leading-chinese-scholars-sign-open-letter-saying-china-influence-debate-is-not-racist-20180327-p4z6kl.html?
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