VISION TIMES 2017 Special Edition THE GIANT AWAKENSA Collection of Insights into Chinese Government Influence in Australia Contents National Security and Foreign Interference 3 Rory Medcalf Party Time: It’s About Values, Not Race 6 Foreword James Leibold Growing Influence: Silent Changes in Our Community 7 Chun Wing Fan Influence /ˈɪnflʊəns/ [mass noun]: The capacity to have Our Universities Are a Frontline in China’s Ideological 8 an effect on the character, Wars John Garnaut development, or behaviour of someone or something, or the Resist Infiltration and 9 effect itself. Safeguard Australian Values Chongyi Feng PHOTO: VISION CHINA TIMES PHOTOMONTAGE he Chinese government’s Interference with Academic Activities in Australian 10 vast sphere of influence Universities has been a widely Jinjiang Zhong Tdebated topic over the past few months. In many instances, Chinese Students Aren’t Simply 11 National Security and discussions have blurred Tools of the Party-State the lines between China – a Merriden Varrall country with a rich history of RORY MEDCALF 5,000 years – and the Chinese Chinese State Infiltration: 12 Foreign Interference government – currently The Inside Story Yonglin Chen controlled by the Chinese Speech delivered in Sydney (12 to influence our politics and navigation exercises in the South saying that this is akin to buying September 2017) & Brisbane (15 independent policymaking. China Sea, an issue of critical protection from ‘bandits’. Communist Party. Australian-Chinese Living Under the Red Shadow 14 China’s culture, its arts and September 2017) This includes propaganda sensitivity to China. There is also the possible Baoqiang Sun and censorship in much of This was one of the revelations explanation that enthusiastic trade relations with Australia, ussian interference in this nation’s Chinese-language in forensic media investigations individuals, with what they may have had a significant influence Against Chinese Illiberalism 15 Criticism the 2016 American media as well as channels by Fairfax Media and ABC TV’s see as patriotic Chinese intent, on Australia’s development as Adam Ni PHOTO (ABOVE): ZIPEI XIA presidential election of interference through highly respected Four Corners are freelancing by making COVER PHOTO: YAN XIA a well-integrated multicultural of Chinese Rmay be the most brazen assault intimidation of dissident voices program. donations that they think will society. The cultural and Our Future Is Shaped By the Freedoms We Uphold 16 John Deller Communist Party by an authoritarian power on and the establishment and It has also been reported resonate well among the powers economic contributions of the democratic institutions. mobilisation of pro-Beijing recently that Australia’s main that be in the People’s Republic 1.2 million Chinese living and Human Dignity and Its Enemies 18 influence is not But it is certainly not the only organisations on Australian political parties have received of China. Vision Times Media Corporation studying in Australia cannot be John Fitzgerald example of such activity. soil. There is also the troubling close to $6 million in donations Another possible explanation overstated. about ethnicity. Democracies everywhere question of political donations over the last few years from is that political donations are (Australia) Yet as the giant awakens and Attempts to Divide the Australian Tibetan 20 are finding themselves at risk. and their motives. individuals associated with encouraged by the Chinese the Chinese government flexes Communities We need to Authoritarian powers are using This time last year, Labor the Australian Council for Communist Party, as part of its Vision Times is an independent Chinese media group that arose as its financial muscles globally, its Kelsang Gyaltsen guard against the very virtues and strengths Senator Sam Dastyari stood the Promotion of the Peaceful wider efforts at influence abroad. one of the top 10 most visited Chinese websites in the world after influence seemingly comes with of democratic societies – our down from the Opposition front Reunification of China. Each of us is entitled to draw Chinese Reporter Expelled During Australia Day 21 it was first launched in 2001. Backed by a track record of serving covert and overt censorship, openness, our willingness to bench following revelations The Council, in turn, is his or her own conclusions from Celebrations any risk of this the Australian-Chinese community for over a decade, Vision Times control and attempts to silence engage with talent from all over that a Chinese billionaire had reported to have connections all of this. Jiazhen Qi the world – as a way to influence paid a legal bill for the Senator to the United Front Work But whatever the mix of produces highly-regarded and informative publications featuring dissent, which many perceive issue turning into as a head-on collision with and weaken us. and covered a debt for travel Department, an organisation motives, one thing is clear. The unbiased coverage and insightful stories. Beware the China Alarmists Out There 22 Australia’s democratic values. one of suspicion It is time for democracies to expenses. which reports to the Central We offer Australia’s most comprehensive Chinese platforms Linda Jakobson Is influence from the Chinese join together, and to exchange At the time, media reports Committee of the Communist including printed news, a bilingual magazine, websites and WeChat. or xenophobia government a problem for What Does China Say About PRC Influence in 23 insights, intelligence and best linked these donations to Party of China. With 160 vibrant editorials, we are one of Australia’s most influential Australia? How much influence Australia? practices on building resilience Senator Dastyari directly Now, of course, what is not If we over-react and widely distributed Chinese publications with over 100,000 readers directed generally can Australia accept? Is there a Jackson Kwok against foreign interference. contradicting his own Party’s clear is the precise calculation nationwide. bottom line? at Australia’s For instance, the decision by position on the South China behind each such donation, and to any Chinese Vision Times is distributed in 22 cities, in 17 countries and regions We invite over twenty leading Influence Creep? 24 Canada to establish a Ministerial Sea, quoting him as stating at those calculations may vary portfolio for the protection of a press conference alongside from case to case. across the globe, including Australia, New Zealand, the United States China experts and community Australia Well-Equipped to Hold Its Own Chinese economic threats Elena Collinson & James Laurenceson democratic institutions is an said billionaire that ‘The South Several explanations are of America, Canada, Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Peru. commentators to discuss their inspired initiative, and one that China Sea is China’s own affair,’ possible. and self-censor on views on the influence of the communities. The Fall of Chinese Community Groups, Politicians 26 Australia should emulate. and that on this issue ‘Australia One, of course, is that those www.visiontimes.com.au Chinese government and the and Academic Freedom We should also move should remain neutral and making the donations have issues perceived to www.visiontimes.com resulting impact on Australia Xiaogang Zhang expeditiously to finalise and respect China’s decision.’ such admiration and respect for be problematic for as a nation in this spectacular pass legislation to ban foreign While this was extraordinary Australia’s democratic political [email protected] collection of eye witness Grassroots Influence by Beijing’s Running Dogs 27 political donations and ensure enough, there are other even system – so distinct, as it is, Ruan Jie Beijing, it will not Sydney | Suite 106, 379-383 Pitt St, Sydney NSW 2000 | (02) 9283 9224 accounts, personal narratives, real-time transparency. That more disturbing reports. One from the Chinese party-state – Melbourne | 4/48 Rutland Rd., Box Hill VIC 3128 | (03) 9005 3689 opinions and analysis in The way all citizens can promptly involves an offer to provide the that they would like to invest protect Australia Perth | Unit 2/6 Douro Place, West Perth WA 6005 | (08) 6365 2012 Giant Awakens. Obsession with China’s Influence Is Hurting 28 Australia’s Public Diplomacy Agenda see the reality of who is paying ALP with $400,000 at the height in its dynamism and longevity. Enjoy – and let us know your Wanning Sun for electoral campaigns, and can of the 2016 election campaign. Unlikely. from further Disclaimer: The views, beliefs and opinions expressed in this publication are thoughts! thus deduce donors’ motives – According to the report, the Another possible reason is those of the various authors and do not reflect the views, beliefs and opinions What Is the CCPPNR and the UFWD? 30 not after they vote, but before. offer was withdrawn following that this is partly about buying pressure – it will of Vision Times Media Corporation (Australia). Yan Xia Zheng Zhang Here in Australia we have Labor’s Defence spokesperson profile, status and access for Copyright statement: The articles within this publication can only be reproduced signal that such with the permission of the individual authors. Copyright of photographs used Chief Editor seen the Chinese Communist restating the Party’s position personal and commercial throughout this publication belong to individual photographers and cannot be Confucius Is Turning in His Grave 31 Party involved