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mishlist 's review for:
Silent Invasion: China's Influence in Australia
by Clive Hamilton
While this is not the most engaging non fiction out there on the influence of China, it is certainly a very comprehensive examination of the key people and strategies used in Australia to further the CCP agenda. It is particularly topical as in the past few weeks, we have seen very obvious attempts by the CCP to control conversation and thought in the West.
Over the last fortnight, Blizzard banned a Hearthstone player for speaking one pro- Hong Kong line, taking away his winnings and firing the two interviewers who sat in on the same stream; the NBA is being 'punished' economically for the Rocket's GM tweeting something pro - Hong Kong. Pre-season streams have been stopped, merchandise deals halted and potentially further impact to the season with the Tencent broadcasting deal. These two incidents have brought a lot of attention to the power of the Chinese government to direct private and state owned enterprises to enforce political wishes, particularly for audiences that may not have been aware of the CCP's power.
But these events are only two very well publicised examples of what is occurring - what Hamilton notes is that this power is being exerted in many more subtle ways here in Australia, including through political donations, the sell off of Australian assets and the partnering of key strategic academic institutions with persons and organisations with known People's Liberation Army connections.
In my day to day work, I think and write a lot about risk assessment, and the work that organisations do to manage risks - so it seems particularly absurd to me that the government, surrounded by strategists and media that is very friendly to China, does not manage the enormous risk of state owned enterprises in Australia or foreign interests in political donations. Similarly so with universities with an enormous reliance on international students and the cash flow they bring with them - you must be questioning the attitude that many have of 'China is our destiny', without the critical thinking that ought to accompany this: what is at stake? What do we as a nation risk when kowtowing all the time?
Hamilton emphasises in particular, that Xi and his party seek to manipulate Chinese ancestry as part of their strategy, which makes me quite uncomfortable. Even though President Xi and other CCP members acknowledge that regardless of where you are, those of Chinese heritage should serve Chinese interests first, parts of this book can almost be read as a witch hunt of, for example, academics at the CSIRO or universities, who are of Chinese heritage. Hamilton always backs up his speculation that certain academics, linked to the PLA, are not being accused of sending back intellectual property or selling on Australian scientific and technological knowledge...but when the notion is raised again and again, without offering a solution, I think it weakens the otherwise reasonable tone of the book and gives firepower to those who accuse Hamilton of xenophobia. And yet, I'm not sure how else to draw attention to the fact that absolutely, intelligence and knowledge is gathered by those loyal to China, and at times even funded by the Australian government.
I mention that this is not the most engaging piece, and Hamilton has written a few 'The Conversation' articles which are much more succint. However I do think this is an important piece of writing, if you can get past the repetition of names and situations. 'Silent Invasion' highlights a very important and dangerous series of events that the wider public should be aware of, so that we can hold organisations and our political leaders to account for it.
Over the last fortnight, Blizzard banned a Hearthstone player for speaking one pro- Hong Kong line, taking away his winnings and firing the two interviewers who sat in on the same stream; the NBA is being 'punished' economically for the Rocket's GM tweeting something pro - Hong Kong. Pre-season streams have been stopped, merchandise deals halted and potentially further impact to the season with the Tencent broadcasting deal. These two incidents have brought a lot of attention to the power of the Chinese government to direct private and state owned enterprises to enforce political wishes, particularly for audiences that may not have been aware of the CCP's power.
But these events are only two very well publicised examples of what is occurring - what Hamilton notes is that this power is being exerted in many more subtle ways here in Australia, including through political donations, the sell off of Australian assets and the partnering of key strategic academic institutions with persons and organisations with known People's Liberation Army connections.
In my day to day work, I think and write a lot about risk assessment, and the work that organisations do to manage risks - so it seems particularly absurd to me that the government, surrounded by strategists and media that is very friendly to China, does not manage the enormous risk of state owned enterprises in Australia or foreign interests in political donations. Similarly so with universities with an enormous reliance on international students and the cash flow they bring with them - you must be questioning the attitude that many have of 'China is our destiny', without the critical thinking that ought to accompany this: what is at stake? What do we as a nation risk when kowtowing all the time?
Hamilton emphasises in particular, that Xi and his party seek to manipulate Chinese ancestry as part of their strategy, which makes me quite uncomfortable. Even though President Xi and other CCP members acknowledge that regardless of where you are, those of Chinese heritage should serve Chinese interests first, parts of this book can almost be read as a witch hunt of, for example, academics at the CSIRO or universities, who are of Chinese heritage. Hamilton always backs up his speculation that certain academics, linked to the PLA, are not being accused of sending back intellectual property or selling on Australian scientific and technological knowledge...but when the notion is raised again and again, without offering a solution, I think it weakens the otherwise reasonable tone of the book and gives firepower to those who accuse Hamilton of xenophobia. And yet, I'm not sure how else to draw attention to the fact that absolutely, intelligence and knowledge is gathered by those loyal to China, and at times even funded by the Australian government.
I mention that this is not the most engaging piece, and Hamilton has written a few 'The Conversation' articles which are much more succint. However I do think this is an important piece of writing, if you can get past the repetition of names and situations. 'Silent Invasion' highlights a very important and dangerous series of events that the wider public should be aware of, so that we can hold organisations and our political leaders to account for it.