Australia's "Pearl and Provocation" website, November 15 article, original title: Fear of China is Endangering Australia's National Security. The toxic stigma of Sinophobia has deep roots in Australia's cultural history. It firmly controls the minds of many policy experts, politicians, media commentators, and ordinary people in Australia. Today, this fear is being fanned by hawkish figures in foreign policy, who desperately want to establish an unrealistic (wrong) alliance with the United States.

Sinophobia is a deeply ingrained narrative in modern Australian cultural history. Based on false perceptions and misinformation spreaders, it has posed a lasting threat to Australia's national interests in two key areas. First, as China establishes its status as a major power in the Asia-Pacific region, this fear has distanced Australia from China; second, it has firmly tied Australia into a dangerous subordinate alliance with the United States.

Politicians, decision-makers, and the media in Canberra subtly and maliciously imply racist undertones in their public or private discussions, constantly stoking the fear of so-called "Chinese threats" among the public. In their narrow imagination, China has become Australia's "greatest threat"—or at least that is what they seem to want Australians to believe. By doing so, they are leading the country down an extremely dangerous path.

Under the influence of Sinophobia, Australia has determined its distorted position towards China, ignoring the provocative strategy of the United States to contain China—while Australia is enthusiastically and foolishly involved in it. Despite these provocative actions, the Australian government still insists on its commitment to "normalizing" relations with China, to consolidate Australia's important export market in China.

Australia's diplomacy towards China urgently needs a new strategy, which should be led by officials proficient in Chinese. Australia's understanding of China and Asia must be built on a systematic understanding of China's (and broader Asian) history, culture, and politics. This requires a thorough reform of primary and secondary school and higher education curricula. As long as ignorance and stupidity about China and the entire Asia continue to prevail in Australia, the clear perception of real geopolitical challenges and opportunities will decline, ultimately putting the country in danger.

Canberra must replace its clumsy approach to China and Asian affairs with delicate diplomacy, while breaking free from the shackles of the US-Australia alliance. Racism has driven successive Australian governments to align with Uncle Sam, but the United States has now become Australia's greatest security threat. Independence and expertise in Asian affairs can pave the most reliable path for Australia toward a peaceful and prosperous future. (Author: Alan Percival, translated by Qiao Heng)

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7573476775386006035/

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