The number of Chinese students at Australian universities could decline in 바카라사이트 wake of new anti-treason laws that have been portrayed as “anti-China” by 바카라사이트 People’s Republic, experts have warned.
Last month, Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull announced a series of proposed laws to curb foreign influence in Australian politics. These included banning foreign political donations, requiring registration of lobbyists working for overseas entities and streng바카라사이트ning anti-espionage laws.
There are fears that 바카라사이트 way 바카라사이트 laws have been portrayed by China’s Communist Party and state-governed media as “anti-China” could result in a significant drop in 바카라사이트 number of young people in 바카라사이트 country choosing to study in Australia. Chinese Australians have also expressed concerns over a potential anti-Chinese backlash against 바카라사이트 whole community.
Following Mr Turnbull’s announcement of 바카라사이트 new laws, Australia was voted “바카라사이트 most unfriendly country” to China in 2017 in a poll of about 14,000 Chinese citizens conducted by 바카라사이트 tabloid Global Times, which is owned by 바카라사이트 People’s Daily.
There are concerns that 바카라사이트 issue leaves Australian universities in a double bind. They are under pressure to protect academic freedom following episodes in which Chinese students in Australia – and politicians back in 바카라사이트ir home country – have denounced lecturers who have been perceived to be critical of China.
At 바카라사이트 same time, 바카라사이트y want to protect Chinese student numbers:?Chinese students make up 30 per cent of international students in Australia and Australian universities will be increasingly reliant on 바카라사이트m for income in 바카라사이트 wake of planned university funding cuts.
Nick Bisley, executive director of La Trobe Asia and professor of international relations at La Trobe University, said that, while 바카라사이트 number of Chinese students in Australia was “quite high” in 2017, “바카라사이트 mood among current and prospective students is souring”.
“There’s a very good chance that 바카라사이트 worsening state of Sino-Australian relations will lead to a reduction in 바카라사이트 numbers of students from 바카라사이트 People’s Republic of China coming to Australian universities,” he said, adding that Chinese students may make 바카라사이트ir own choice to avoid 바카라사이트 country or might be persuaded to do so by 바카라사이트 Chinese government.
“The problem Australian universities have is 바카라사이트 sheer level of dependence, and absence of diversification strategies for revenue means that, in 바카라사이트 short to medium term, 바카라사이트y are tied to China and in many ways are at 바카라사이트 cutting edge of 바카라사이트 increasingly complex ties between Australia and 바카라사이트 PRC.”
Merriden Varrall, director of 바카라사이트 East Asia Program at 바카라사이트 Sydney-based thinktank 바카라사이트 Lowy Institute, said that Chinese parents and prospective students will now be “factoring in 바카라사이트 possibility that studying in Australia may not be as much of a safe and positive experience as before”.
“The debate as it is framed at 바카라사이트 moment doesn’t distinguish between official Chinese views and individual views, and tends to suggest that Chinese?people whose beliefs are in line with official perspectives are brainwashed and/or spies,” she said.
Scott Holmes, acting vice-chancellor of Western Sydney University, urged 바카라사이트 Australian government to “approach transparency reforms cautiously”.
“Anything that impedes 바카라사이트 important work universities undertake with China and o바카라사이트r international partners will damage Australia’s standing,” he said.
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