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Why is Australia so hostile to China?It’s not. And never has been, and is unlikely to ever be so. We are Chinese.Perhaps I have your attention, so let's keep rolling….Australia is most definitely not hostile towards Chinese people. To say such a thing simply means you have no knowledge of Australia, Chinese-Australian history, and China-Australia relations.Australia is an immigrant country, and a young country that grew and developed on a timeline loosely similar to modern China’s. The two nations have been inexorably interlinked since the early 1800’s.At every step of Australia’s founding as a nation, formation of policy and social development, Chinese-Australians have been there.The contribution of Chinese-Australians to the country is profound. I will argue that the Australian Chinese community is one of this country's national treasures and its greatest assets.Let’s take a quick look at that history1829 – Fifty-five Chinese migrated to Australia.1848 – On 2nd October the ship Nimrod arrived from Xiamen with 120 Chinese followed by another ship, the Phillip Laing with 123 Chinese aboard.1851 – 393 Chinese arrived at Hobart. 225 Chinese arrived at Moreton Bay. A person of note at this time is Louis Ah Mouy who sent a letter to his hometown explaining of the gold that was being found in Victoria. 50000 Chinese arrived in China between 1851–56 to work in the goldfields predominantly in Bendigo and Ballarat. Louis Ah Mouy became a prosperous gold merchant.1855 – with the end of the gold rush came policies that restricted immigration into Victoria, fuelled by locals unhappy that dwindling reserves of gold were going to foreigners, fuelled political by fears of rebellion stemming from the belief that many of the Chinese were of that nature coming from an area of China that had seen riots against the Qing empire and the so on. Post the Eureka Stockade Chinese arriving into Victorian ports were required to pay ten pound entry tax.1855 – Chinese arrived through the port of Adelaide to avoid the restrictions in Victoria, and followed overland routes, in the hope of riches, to the Goldfields of Victoria.1856 to 1889 – Over 61,000 Chinese came to NSW. They also helped build key infrastructure inc the Great Northern Railway (Sydney to Brisbane) and the international telegraph line at Darwin, NT.1877 – there were 20,000 Chinese living at Palmer River who had followed the news of a gold rush in Queensland, outnumbering European settlers. Challenged by native tribes they stayed on mining the region. Post the mining rush many Chinese helped to develop the Banana trade. The Chinese became dominant in the banana trade, wholesale and retail on the eastern seaboard. Interestingly, profits from this trade were sent home to develop department stores (Wing On) in Hong Kong, Guangzhou (Canton), and Shanghai.1880s – end of the gold rush and many Chinese stayed in Australia and took jobs as chefs, working on farms, paddle boats, as cabinet makers and so on. Many becoming highly successful merchants and business owners.1898 – the Tung Wah Newspaper rolls of the printers. Distributed nationally it was apparently a hot platform for the discussion of the future of China, with Chinese Australians being pro-Qing and others being pro Sun Yat Sen.1901 – Introduction of policies barring non-Europeans immigrating to Australia was a hideous time for Chinese Australians. Policy born out of fear, ignorance, and rising nationalism, yet it was perhaps one of the catalysts for Federation. The awkward and ignorant stumbling of the coming together of a new nation that had not yet formed values or beliefs, nor understood that it was to be a nation of nations. These policies were instituted by the states and later federally where subsequently removed from 1949 to 1973. In 1975 the Racial Discrimination Act was passed, as the name implies, making racial discrimination unlawful.1901 – Federation – Australia becomes a nation. The Chinese community paraded two dragons through the streets of Melbourne in joint celebrations.1902 – the Chinese Times rolls off the presses in opposition to the pro-Qing stance of the Tung Wah Newspaper.1911 – the Young China League was formed by Lew Goot-Chee and Wong Yue-Kung and created the National Patriotic Fund which sent money back to China to support Dr Sun Yat-Sen.1912 – There were pro-Qing flag parades held by Chinese conservatives who were dismayed at the demise of the imperial regime and celebrations were held by pro-KMT along with the removal of the dragon flag was replaced with the 12-pointed star flag at the Chinese Australian Consulate.1913 – A thank you letter is sent from the Finance Minister of the Republic to Chinese Australians for their support. That letter is on display at the Golden Dragon Museum in Bendigo Victoria.1914 – 198 Chinese men enlist with the Australian Imperial Force and fight in the Great War. Notable was Billy Sing who became Australian hero for his ability with a rifle.1921 – China World’s News rolls off the presses1937 – Jiang Jieshi sent a letter to the Chinese in Australia, appealing for their support against the Japanese invasion. Fundraisers were held across the country. Immigration numbers of Chinese to Australia increased as refugees escaping invasion from Japanese forces.1939 -1945 – WWII saw many Chinese Australians involved and making vital contributions in the war effort.1943 – Bank of China is issued a banking license and opens its first branch in Sydney.1951 – the Australia China Friendship Society was established in Melbourne and Sydney founded by Arthur Locke Chang. He advocated for peaceful international co-existence in the troubled times of capitalism vs communism.1951 – the Columbo Plan. 300M was donated to aid in the education of Asian students in Australia. It’s important to note this as up until this point immigrants from China had been mostly from southern areas.1956 – Melbourne Olympics. An Australian born Chinese proposed the idea of marching without national flags at the closing ceremony to symbolise international togetherness in what were troubled times internationally, he was later presented a medal even though he did not compete. A Chinese team from Taiwan took part in the Melbourne Olympics.1970 – James Lew, a 101-year-old Chinese elder brought Sun Loong, the longest imperial dragon in the world, to life by dotting his eyes with chicken blood. Sun Loong lives at the Golden Dragon Museum in Bendigo Victoria.1972 – Diplomatic relations were established between Australia and the People’s Republic of China.1973 – the Australian Chinese Community Association (ACCA) was formed1976 – the Australia-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry was formed1978 – The Australian-China Council was formed1982 – William Liu was awarded an OBE his efforts in Sino-Australian relations, and also receiving high praise from then premier of China, Zhao Ziyang.1982 – Sing Tao Daily rolls of the presses1983 – Chinese Premier Zhao Ziyang visits Australia1984 – Alec Fong Lim is elected Lord Mayor of Darwin1984 – the Australian Chinese Forum was founded1986 – Australia begins accepting Chinese students for tertiary1988 – Helen Sham won a seat in the Legislative Council of New South Wales.1988 – The Chinese Garden of Friendship is opened at Darling Harbour, Sydney. It was designed by Sydney’s sister city, Guangzhou.1989 – After the events of Tiananmen Square, Australia allowed 42,000 Chinese students to settle in Australia permanently. (note that some claim that figure to be 20,000)1990 – During this decade trade with China begins its first boom1993 – The Pacific Times rolls off the presses1993 – The Queensland Asian Business Weekly rolls off the presses1995 – Chinese Sydney Weekly rolls off the presses1997 – 100,000 Chinese immigrate to Australia post the British handover of Hong Kong.2003 – Chinese President Hu Jintao visits Australia and addresses Australian Parliament - transcript here: Full text: Hu's speech2006 – Wen Jiabao visits Australia2006 – Vision Times rolls off the presses2007 – Chinese President Hu Jintao visits Australia2008 – The University of Sydney Confucius Institute opens. The Chinese Government opens another 9 Confucius Institutes in Australian Universities and also within the NSW Education Department.2009 – Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang visits Australia2009 – China and Australia sign a deal on the Gorgon field which ensures China a steady supply of LPG fuel for the next 20 years2011 – Chinese becomes the second most widely spoken language in Australia overtaking Italian and Greek.2014 – Chinese President Xi Jinping visits Australia and addresses the federal parliament2015 – China-Australia Free Trade Agreement was signed2016 – At the 2016 census, 5.6% of the Australian population have Chinese ancestry. 596,711 persons declared that they spoke Mandarin at home followed by Cantonese at 280,943. Other popular dialects were Hokkien and Hakka. The most popular city for mainland Chinese was Sydney followed by Melbourne.2017 – Chinese Premier Li Keqiang visits Australia2017 – December 21 the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and AustraliaThis timeline comes from a recent article I wrote for WTC here http://welcometochina.com.au/celebrating-chinese-australian-history-a-timeline-1829-to-2017-5689.htmlWhat I didn’t touch on to a great extent was the political connections which run quite deep since Gough Whitlam, then Prime Minister, and his first visit to China in 3rd July 1971 and the meeting with Zhou Enlai. Interestingly, but unknown to many, he preceded Henry Kissinger's visit.Long before any other nation, Whitlam was one of the first to recognise the People’s Republic of China, and to voice support for its entry into the United Nations, when he stated publicly on the, 12 August 1954, “It is about time that, like the United Kingdom and France, we recognised the communist government of China”.The People’s Republic of China was officially recognised by Australia in December 1972.During the Hawke Government era trade relations boomed. In 1983 Zhou Ziyang visited Australia, and in 1984 Bob Hawke visited China. That relationship led to the integration of China’s and Australia's Steel and Iron Ore industries. It also led to innumerable Joint Working Groups and Memorandums of Understanding on technology transfer, science and technical cooperation, geological sciences and participating in China’s legal reform via exchanges between the two countries legal departments. The CAP (China Action Plan) was initiated which including setting up trade offices in Sydney and Melbourne to facilitate the development of Chinese trade into Australia and Internationally.On the 16 June 1989, Prime Minister Hawke made an emotional and tearful address to the Australian nation post the events of Tiananmen. In his address, without consultation, he offered all Chinese students in Australia extended visas, work rights, and financial assistance. In the end that led to the granting of 42,000 permanent visas.During the Howard Government years, and for the most part continuing through to the present, trade has continued to flourish along with intergovernmental working groups and collaborations.Yet, Chinese Australian relationship it’s an odd relationship in a political sense. We have no common values in this area, we have no historical language or cultural ties, and geographically we are not that close to each other. We are not dependent on each other politically, economically, strategically, nor through any grouping.Australia, even with its deep Chinese heritage, and ever growing Australian Chinese community, and Asian community at large, has shown that it is not going to change philosophically from its alignment with own values and western values.In fact, it’s the Asian community, and lately the Australian Chinese community, that are the most vocal about protecting those values. One example being the Australia Values Alliance.So, whilst Australia is Chinese through the Australian Chinese community as an integral part of the nation and its history, and whilst it embraces Chinese culture into its melting pot of cultures and seeks to expand relations with China, but, simultaneously, remains resolutely independent according to its values and what the nation represents.That is perhaps the most frustrating thing for Beijing. It has had no success in gaining real influence in Australia or to have Australia as some kind or subject, or agreeable vassal state. Regardless of having strong trade and strong investment, it has little sway. This constantly gets played out on the international stage where Australia will state it’s own view, sometimes quite independent from US and in favor of China, at other times very much in line with the shared values of democratic nations.The recent debate surrounding “China’s influence” in AustraliaRecent events surrounding political influence by Beijing within Australia are quite interesting. Interesting in that its the Australian Chinese community that is perhaps driving force behind the rejection of Beijing becoming so ‘active’ within Australia.The tipping point to recent events was perhaps the late 2016 planned performances to celebrate the death of Chairman Mao."As Australian-Chinese, we see this trend happening as Chinese-language media in Australia become largely influenced by Chinese government with all sorts of commercial linkages; pro-China groups emerge in Sydney and Melbourne; the incoming of Confucius Institutes in our universities which have spread to high school and primary schools in the name of teaching Chinese," Embrace Australian Values Alliance spokesman John Hugh said."We are not here to be against certain groups, we are here to protect our Australian values. We choose to live in this country so we need to protect our home."Quoted from http://www.smh.com.au/world/divisive-chairman-mao-concerts-cancelled-20160901-gr6j8a.htmlIt was perhaps the marketing of the concerts in Chinese Australian media that tipped people over the edge“commemorate the great leader,” “illustrate Mao Zedong’s humanitarian ­personality,” and describing the late ruler as “a hero in the eyes of people all over the world.”The concerts were cancelled. But attention to anything pro-Beijing escalated.Chinese Media in AustraliaChinese language media in Australia is quite well established through print media, a recent explosion in the number of website portals, and through traditional Chinese social media such as WeChat.Many claim that Beijing was buying influence in major Australian media through publishing deals.Several leading Australia media outlets (including Fairfax media and Sky News) have signed distribution deals with the Propaganda Department of the ruling Chinese Communist Party. These deals were signed during the little-publicised tour by the country’s Grand Inquisitor, Liu Qibao, who is a member of the politburo and the minister for propaganda.Quoted from https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/beijings-control-over-chinese-language-media-more-pressing-fairfax-china-dailyChinese language media in print form, in Australia, is mostly pro-Beijing, with only one or two independent papers. This at first wouldn’t be overly concerning, expect for when it can be used for a tool of social division and to drive the Chinese Australian community against the greater community to cause social disruption and destroy harmony.That is a point that any nation would want to investigate, China certainly would, and Australia has been far to lax in not doing so.Although probably immune to party propaganda, Chinese Australians didn't come all this way, and go through so much to build a life here, and to then continue enduring such garb.For detailed insight into the Chinese language media landscape in China see the PDF here http://www.australiachinarelations.org/sites/default/files/1609%20Australia-China%20Relations%20Institute%20Publication%20-%20Chinese-language%20media%20in%20Australia%20Developments,%20challenges%20and%20opportunities.pdfFreedom of debate within universities is another hot topic.Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has issued a blunt warning to Chinese university students affiliated with the Communist Party, urging them to respect freedom of speech in Australia.You have to remember Australia’s offer of openness, tolerance, freedom of speech and discovery of truth through open debate. That's why many students come here. These are central to our nation's values.Confucius Institutes housed within Australian Universities, whilst displaying good intention and warmly welcomed, have displayed they are not so altruistic towards core Australian values. This has been concerning policy makers, on the left and right, for some time.Communist Party of China (CPC) speeches and texts openly describe CIs as being designed to influence perceptions of China and its policies abroad. Li Changchun, a Politburo member, says the Institutes are ‘an important part of China’s overseas propaganda set-up’ and Deputy Education Minister Hao Ping has noted that ‘establishing Confucius Institutes is a strategic plan for increasing our soft power’.Quoted from https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2014/November/Confucius_Institutes_and_Chinese_soft_power_in_AustraliaFurther escalationsThe detaining of the Australian-Chinese professor, Chongyi Feng, in China didn’t help. It deepened suspicions about the CCP and it’s actions that are contrary to Australia's core beliefs, and led to deeper introspection of the extent and purpose of China’s soft power in Australia. Analysis: Beijing sends blunt warning to Chinese AustraliansWhat also came from that was an awareness of the actions of the “United Front’ within Australia and deeper suspicion of civil groups connected to the Chinese Communist Party operating in Australia.Political PaymentsPolitical payments have always been a hot button issue in Australia, and the finances of ministers is highly scrutinised topic and a guaranteed hot button issue with locals.The stream of donations by Huang Xiangmo was a bridge too far for many of the Australian public who were opposed to the idea of donations from anyone. Beyond Dastyari: Chinese businessman's political donation web revealedThe citizens of any country would rightly reject such.The inquiry into foreign political donations is still taking place Foreign donations and it’s mostly accepted that they will be banned at state and federal levels.An ongoing storyChina's Operation Australia: payments, power and politicianshttp://www.abc.net.au/news/story-streams/china-power/Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s statement on “Taking a Stand”He had to make that statement for two reasons. In the media flurry that was surrounding a ‘perfect storm’ of issues relating to China’s influence, he had to draw a line. Even if for nothing else but to make people at ease and to dispel festering fears that the nation is becoming a vassal state of China.The second major implication of that statement is that he stood with the Chinese-Australian community, he could of chosen to use diplomatic rhetoric to smooth the important economic relationship, but instead he chose to stand with the local community. You see, The Chinese-Australian community is vital to this country, an integral part of our fabric and history, and they are offered safe harbour here, free from fear of external influence, free to live their life as they feel.Returning to your point, Why is Australia so hostile to China?There isn't hostility, Australia remains as open as ever to Chinese, Whether coming for tourism, for education, for business, to work, or to start a new life and raise a family.But understand the offer. Australia doesn’t offer a one party state, hierarchical culture, or collective. We offer a nation that sits at number 2, sometimes no 1, on the Human Development Index, we offer pristine environment, low density living, high income, world leading health care, world leading social welfare, democracy, freedom of speech, dignity as an individual, equality, egalitarianism, a fair go for all, and compassion for the needy.Probably blowing the trumpet a bit hard, but the core point is perhaps that we are fundamentally different societies, culturally and most certainly philosophically. I am not trying to say one is better than the other, but just to pay respect to the differences.Perhaps Chinese Premier Li Keqiang sums it up well, on his most recent visit, upon arriving"We flew across the clouds. There was lightning but we kept flying and that is the same as China-Australia relations, It will keep moving forward and forward and forward."And I will end with a shout out to some of the Chinese-Australians who have helped make Australia what it is.AcademiaVictor Chang: heart surgeonCindy Pan: celebrity doctor and sexual/women's health expertMabel Lee: linguistHelene Chung Martin: former ABC correspondent, author of Shouting from China and Lazy Man in ChinaTerence Tao: mathematicianCharles Teo: neurosurgeonKaren Tso: finance reporterJohn Yu: paediatrician and 1996 Australian of the YearOuyang Yu: poet, novelist and author of The Eastern Slope ChronicleLiangchi Zhang: scientistYang Hengjun: political blogger, author of "Fatal Weakness" series.Marita Cheng: founder of Robogals and 2012 Young Australian of the YearBusiness and financeKwong Sue Duk: pioneer herbalist and merchantNeale Fong: doctor and sports administratorSir Leslie Joseph Hooker: real estate magnate, founder of L.J. HookerStern Hu: businessmanBing Lee: businessman who started up the Bing Lee franchisesAndrew Leon: businessman in Cairns, Queensland [1][2]Andy Yin: Sydney Inner West Leo's PresidentYew-Kwang Ng: economist at Monash UniversityTrevor O'Hoy: Former CEO of Foster's GroupErn Phang: lawyerTom See Poy: department store owner in Innisfail, QueenslandMei Quong Tart: 19th Century businessman and public figureheadDavid Wang: businessmanXiaokai Yang: economistArts and entertainmentTony Ayres: screenwriter and directorJason Chan: actor and directorQueenie Chan: comic artistClaudia Chan Shaw: fashion designer and television presenterJackie Chan: actor,singer,director and stuntmanJun Chen: painterLee Lin Chin: news readerElizabeth Chong: chef, author and television presenterAnna Choy: actress and presenterLi Cunxin: ballet dancer, author and public speakerJeff Fatt: performer with the WigglesRussell Jack: founder and director of the Golden Dragon MuseumShen Jiawei: painterKylie Kwong: chef, restaurateur and media presenterLawrence Leung: comedianGuang Li: actorRenee Lim: actress and media personalityNina Liu: actressJaymee Ong: actress and modelCindy Pan: physician and media personalityChris Pang: actorSam Pang: writer, actor, director, producer and presenterAlice Pung: authorRose Quong: actor, performer and writerSarah Song: television actress and presenterShaun Tan: artist, author and illustratorLing-Hsueh Tang: actressVico Thai: television and film actorAnnette Shun Wah: media presenterJames Wan: film director, writer, and producer of the Saw film franchiseBin Xie: painterHu Xin: actressPoh Ling Yeow: artist, grand finalist on MasterChef Australia 2009John Zerunge Young: artistPoliticsWilliam Ah Ket: barrister and early 20th century campaigner for Chinese rightsHenry Tsang OAM: former Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier; Deputy Lord Mayor, Sydney, 1991–1999Dio Wang: federal Senator for Western Australia since 2014 (Parliament of Australia)Tsebin Tchen: former federal Senator for Victoria (Parliament of Australia)Helen Sham-Ho OAM: Member of the Legislative Council of New South Wales (State Parliament)Jing Lee MLC: Member of the Legislative Council of South Australiasince 2010 (State Parliament)Peter Wong AM: Member of the Legislative Council of New South Wales (State Parliament), 1999-2007; Founder, Unity Party (Australia), 1998Ernest Wong MLC: Member of the Legislative Council of New South Wales since 2013 (State Parliament)Michael Choi: Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly (State Parliament), 2001-2012Harry Chan: First Chinese mayor of Australia, DarwinAlec Fong Lim AM: former Lord Mayor of DarwinKatrina Fong Lim: Lord Mayor of DarwinJohn So AO: Lord Mayor of Melbourne, 2001-2008Alfred Huang: Lord Mayor, Adelaide, 2000-2003Stanley Chiang: Mayor, DarebinRobert Chong AM:Member of the Order of Australia; Mayor, Whitehorse, 2002-2005. Whitehorse Councillor since 1997Chan Ching Howe: First Chinese councillor of Australia, MelvilleLai Li Hiam: Councillor, Yarra, Victoria, 1996-2004Keith Yong: Councillor, PerthSarah Chong: United Nations Peace Women Project Officer 2007, Asylum Seeker and Refugee Advocate and Community Development PractitionerMilitaryCaleb Shang: World War I soldier, Western FrontJack Wong Sue: World War II special forces soldier, mariner and author (Western Australia)Billy Sing: World War I soldierSportsLes Fong: Australian rules footballerLin Jong: Australian rules footballerCheltzie Lee: Figure skaterAndy Liu: FootballerAnthony Liu: Figure skaterMiao Miao: Table tennis playerRichard Chee Quee: CricketerKenneth To: SwimmerEsther Qin: DiverMelissa Wu: DiverPriscilla Hon:Tennis playerGronya Somerville: BadmintonMixed Chinese/European ancestryAcademicsVanessa Woods: scientist, author, and feature writer for the Discovery ChannelArts and entertainmentCourtney Eaton: actress and modelRichard Clapton: singer and songwriterJimmy Chi: composer, musician and playwrightJessica Gomes: modelLisa Ho: fashion designerJenny Kee: fashion designerAdam Liaw: winner of MasterChef Australia 2010MilitaryBilly Sing: World War I: soldier, Gallipoli and Western FrontCaleb Shang: World War I, Soldier, Royal AirforcePoliticsGai Brodtmann: Member of Parliament, Federal ParliamentMichael Johnson: former Member of Parliament, Federal ParliamentBill O'Chee: former Senator (Queensland), Federal ParliamentPenny Wong: Senator (South Australia), Federal Parliament, Member of Cabinet, Minister for Climate Change and Water 2007-2010, Minister of Finance and Deregulation 2010 - (Incumbent)SportsKevin Gordon: Rugby league playerWally Koochew: Australian rules footballerHunter Poon: first player of Chinese descent to appear in Australian first-class cricketMelissa Wu (diver)Jack Purtell: Jockey, Won 3 Melbourne Cups.This list is quoted from an earlier post here What will be the future between Australia and China relations?updated: added link to transcript of Hu Jintao’s address to the Australian Parliament in 2003, tks Peter Webb. Added Gronya Somerville to the list of notable Chinese-Australians tks Kenzo Variant