The New Red Scare: CCP Influence In Australia
Source: South China Morning Post
The Albanese government has rolled out the red carpet for a high ranking official of the Chinese Communist Party, considered to be the right-hand man of leader Xi Jinping.
Zhao Leji is the current chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and the third-ranking member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party.
Zhao has been Australia’s guest of honour during his visit, afforded all the trimmings befitting an international dignitary – police-escorted motorcades that disrupt city traffic, formal dinners with government officials, and increased public security, all coming at a substantial cost to the taxpayer.
The third most powerful man in China is in the country to meet with Prime Minister Albanese, ostensibly discussing Australia backing Chinese reunification with Taiwan. The Chinese CCP regime has made no secret about expanding its domain, exerting its political influence and military presence in the Pacific and South China Sea with little regard for international law.
Given the cost and diplomatic wrangling required to get that treaty signed, is Australia playing a dangerous game by cosying up to the CCP?
The Pukpuk Treaty prohibits PNG from increasing security relations with China. Yet, here we are, essentially welcoming the fox into the henhouse. It’s poor optics for Australia to hamstring a developing nation with security protocols then turn around and start dealing with the proclaimed enemy.
Admittedly, international diplomacy is a tricky game and there is something to be said for keeping your friends close and your enemies closer – especially when that enemy is the most powerful nation in the world.
Nevertheless, Zhao Leji’s visit raises legitimate concerns about security and CCP influence on Australian politics.
MPs were advised to turn off their mobile phones and take extra cybersecurity precautions during Zhao’s visit to Parliament House and warned that Wi-Fi would be disrupted. ASIO this month warned of threats to critical Australian infrastructure from Chinese-backed hackers attempting to carry out “high-impact” sabotage.
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But the CCP’s influence in Australia expands far beyond external threats, with the import of sub-standard, Chinese-made construction materials affecting critical nation-building projects. The recent discovery of asbestos in brake pads used for wind turbines triggered an urgent safety response across the country. The pads were supplied by Chinese-based manufacturer 3S Industry.
We’re also being used as a parking lot for Chinese EVs imported to Australia by Chinese company Build Your Dreams to take advantage of an Albanese government carbon credits scheme. China under the control of the CCP is not our friend or ally; they are the bully we appease to avoid confrontation.
The Chinese diaspora in Australia have made significant contributions to our cultural identity and form the third-largest migrant community in the country. Their roots here date back to the 19th century gold rushes and today, the majority come here to build a life beyond the controlling reach of the CCP.
CCP presence and influence in Australia puts all of that at risk and needs to be curtailed at the federal level to avoid destroying our credibility on the global stage. The Australian government can’t keep playing both sides.
If the CCP continue on their path to global domination, there will come a crossroads where Australia will have to make a defining choice: acquiesce to the demands of a tyrannical empire, or stand up for what we believe in. That choice needs to be made sooner rather than later.
