How far is the recent decline in relations between China and Australia due purely to geopolitical considerations? How far is it influenced by cultural and political differences between the two countries? How far are our views of each other clouded by misconceptions and misunderstandings, partly fanned by our media and political leaders?

Few can doubt the vital importance of this relationship.  If we are to manage it effectively, we surely need a clear and balanced view of each other.

In this event we turn for insights to two people who have thought deeply and written powerfully about how Australia views China, and how China views Australia and other countries in its region.

Speakers

Dr David Brophy is a Senior Lecturer in Modern Chinese History at the University of Sydney.

In his recent book China Panic: Australia’s Alternative to Paranoia and Pandering, David notes that the former ‘ocean of goodwill’ between Australia and China “has shown dramatic signs of freezing over. Australia is in the grip of a China Panic. How did we get here and what’s the way out? While the xenophobic right hovers in the wings, some of the loudest voices decrying Chinese subversion come, unexpectedly, from the left.” In this insightful critique, David Brophy offers a progressive alternative.

Dr Pradeep Taneja is a Senior Lecturer in Asian politics at the University of Melbourne, where he is also a Member of the Centre for Contemporary Chinese Studies and a Fellow of the Australia India Institute. He was a graduate student at Peking University and worked in various parts of China for more than six years, including as a senior consultant on an Australian foreign aid project.

He is co-author (with Colin Mackerras and Graham Young) of China Since 1978: Reform Modernisation and Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and author of numerous other articles and book chapters. His current research interests focus on the rise of China as a regional and global power, Sino-Indian and Sino-Australian relations. He is also working on a project examining the relationship between China’s business elite and the Communist Party of China.

All welcome to stay for our 'online pub' after the event:

This is an effort to maintain the social aspect of our face to face events, especially for those in lockdown. So come prepared with your own BYO drink and nibbles for the after event discussion. We encourage all members to switch on video at the event to improve sociability.

A link to join the Zoom event will be forwarded via email upon RSVP below.