China’s leverage over Australia and New Zealand

 China is donating funds to the politicians of leading allies of the US

Australian domestic intelligence agency, the ASIO, in its annual report mentioned that foreign powers are continuously trying to extend their influence in Australian society. In words of the report “It is posing a threat to the sovereignty, honor of institutions, and exercise of the citizen’s rights.”

Xi Jinping and Malcolm Turnbull

According to the reports Chinese government has won the influence educationally, politically and systematically. Specifically, agencies believe, some businessmen have strong ties with Chinese officials and desire a view of Chinese theories at Kangaroo’s soil. Additionally, China has given huge amount in shape of funding to two main political organs in Australia. Earlier, officials have given the warnings to the suspects. Despite these warning, the figures are still getting millions of dollars from the donors. Surprisingly, China has given about 80% of the donation to Australian political figures in between the years 2000 to 2016.

Beijing is also reported to set up an institution for culture and language studies. All these stories are approaching when reportedly Xi Jinping is trying to interact with the world. Xi is trying to shift a strategic balance across the globe. Important to note here is that Chinese government refuses to all these claims of interference by funding. 

In case of New Zealand

There are also some concerns regarding Chinese interference in Kiwis internal affairs and politics. The University of Canterbury has reported that manners in which China has gained influence over there. China provides the donations and the ethical support towards particular leadership.

John Key and Xi Jinping in a pleasant mood

The Financial Times reported that a leading member of house from the National party had a military background in China, which he failed to reveal when he migrated to New Zealand. Additionally, he holds key relations with the Communist party back there in China.

Why China does this?

China has numerous reasons for launching cultural campaign and growing political meddling in Australia and New Zealand. These two nations hold the designation as ambassadress of free trade and open market. China needs the ground of these two landmarks for its future proceedings.

Australian trade successes with China

What are the reasons behind Chinese agenda?

Selling the Chinese model of everything

China is the world’s biggest economy with rapid growth in it every year. Comparatively, China needs to gain influence in international markets and in the world. Xi Jinping is keen to move China at the top of world politics. He has promised to make his country a role model for other countries. Xi’s Government has organized a desk for this particular task.

Xi Jinping has also wants to have an eye on the entire Chinese students’ community studying abroad at different Universities. In addition to this, the Chinese Government has boosted the resources for influencing different communities including journalists, cultural symbols and ethnic Chinese associations set up abroad. For example, in 2012, China set up an institution naming The Chinese Public Diplomacy Association, whose work was to carry journalists and sentiments leader to China for training.

China has also worked on the up gradation of state-media especially, when the media infrastructure in the entire globe is backing off due to financial hurdles. Chinese Government is working to boost up the media up gradation process by donating approximately 5.6 billion dollars.

Regional security and insecurities

Australia is located at the key position. China’s South China Sea dispute with other nations may make him rely completely on Australia. Instead, Australia is a close ally to US, who is the biggest hurdle in China’s way to stand tall a global leader.

South China Sea and neighboring powers 

China’s political influence may work as providing the strategic and monetary developments. China can use its yielding influence in Australia and New Zealand to put pressure on both of the nations to stay neutral at key regional issues including Sea complications. So far, both of the countries remained neutral on peculiar situations. Despite the fact, China’s media influence may turn the opinions of more people in favor of China. Furthermore, it would make United States to retreat from the claims over the Sea.

Author’s take

China is the biggest trade partner of Australia. In 2008, New Zealand grew into as the first nation to sign a free trade deal with China. In result, China became the largest goods trading partner of New Zealand. The economies of both Australia and New Zealand countries rely massively on China to grow. Of course, China also needs to interact with the nations having the slogans of free trade, open market and open immigration rules. This will lead China towards the cultural influence as well.

New Zealand's growing trade index with China

Australia since the reports arrived is working strictly to chasing the culprits. The revision of laws over foreign findings is done and most probably the country will put a ban over all sorts of foreign funding to the politicians. This will make Chinese officials a bit exasperated. If this mistrust between both of the nations continuous to grow, we would see a backfire of Chinese influence and may be a backfire in the Australian economy.