This was published 4 years ago
Opinion
Living with the big guy in the crowd, China
By Philipp Ivanov
Five years ago this month, Xi Jinping addressed the Australian Parliament. As I listened to him outlining how China would achieve its dream of prosperity and security, one passage of his speech stood out: "Many people applaud China's achievements and have great confidence in China, while some others have concerns about China – and there are also people who find fault with everything China does. I think these diverse views are to be expected. After all, China is a large country of over 1.3 billion people. It is like the big guy in the crowd.
"Others naturally wonder how the big guy will move and act, and they may be concerned that the big guy may push them around, stand in their way or even take up their place."
Chinese President Xi Jinping addressing the Australian Parliament in 2014.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
At the time I saw these words as an admission that China was uncertain about how to wield its new-found strength. Five years on, I recognise that what I mistook for hesitancy was actually a subtle message to Australia and the rest of the world not to underestimate China’s assertiveness.
Today’s China is more global, more powerful, more willing to project its power, and more sensitive to criticism, and just as hard-working and dynamic as it has been for centuries.
The big guy is making his presence felt, sometimes in ways we find admirable – in the global economy, science and technology – but also in ways that make us uncomfortable: on the streets of Hong Kong, the treatment of Uighurs in Xinjiang, and China choosing to silence or ban those critical of its government from visiting the country.
This year, Asia Society Australia’s "Disruptive Asia" project has been devoted to how we should frame the boundaries of our relationship with China. The academics and policy experts identified three elements that must be addressed – competency, coherence and community.
Firstly, to deal with China effectively we must make a greater effort to understand it. According to the former head of Chinese studies at Macquarie University, five decades on from the normalisation of relations only 130 Australians of non-Chinese heritage speak Mandarin proficiently.
We also need to work much harder to deepen personal and professional ties. Contrary to the argument that scientific linkages with China are a Faustian bargain, they can benefit Australia as much as China. Any lessening of ties to China's elites cuts off a vital channel to its thinking.
Secondly, we need greater coherence in our attitude towards China. The debate rages about which comes first: security or prosperity? We should be confident that we can manage both, and maintain a healthy relationship with China even if our interests and values do not always align, just as we do with other nations.
One of those values is a belief in universal human rights. As Foreign Minister Marise Payne said recently, “Speaking our minds does not constitute interfering in another country.” But language matters. The onus is upon those who shape policy and public opinion to lead a respectful and well-informed discussion that takes care not to conflate, offend, generalise or misinform.
Finally, there is the need for deeper ties with the community of nations in our region as well as Australians from a non-Anglo-Celtic or European background. Closer collaboration with our near neighbours is vital if we are to craft and test the rules that keep the region peaceful and prosperous.
At home, an inclusive, culturally diverse group of leaders who are representative of the make-up of our society can respond to China’s influence in a mature manner, while being able to counter any coercive elements. We urgently need to correct the stark under-representation of non-Europeans, including Chinese-Australians, in the leadership of our national institutions.
Living with China will not be easy. But a co-ordinated and long-term policy development effort led not only by government but business, educational institutions and the community can safeguard Australian interests as China continues to grow in power and influence, while preserving – and if possible, expanding – the very real benefits gained through engagement.
Philipp Ivanov is the chief executive officer of Asia Society Australia.