Why should Australia be concerned about… rising tensions in the Taiwan Straits?

In the latest China Matters Explores policy brief, I argue outright war across the Taiwan Strait is highly unlikely. Rather, the PRC is likely to use 'all means short of war' to achieve the paramount goal of unification. A PRC pressure campaign to force Taiwan to negotiate unification would entail a mix of tactics including economic coercion, diplomatic isolation, cyber operations, and information warfare.

The strategic implications for Australia are profound. Taiwan typifies the kind of vibrant, free and democratic society that Australia wants to see flourish across the Indo-Pacific region. Australia clearly benefits, both economically and strategically, from the continued prosperity, stability and security of Taiwan.

The policy brief examines various scenarios and argues that Australia needs to clearly articulate its position on Taiwan while working with regional partners to deter Chinese military action. The focus should be on strengthening deterrence through diplomatic and economic means, while avoiding inflammatory rhetoric that could escalate tensions.

Understanding Beijing's calculus and the tools at its disposal is essential for Australian policymakers as they navigate this complex and evolving challenge.

McCarthyism is now rampant in Australia

Linda Jakobson spoke at the National Security Summit hosted by the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age on 22 October 2020 on the issue of foreign interference in Australian education and society. "I will address the session's first question: When does influence become interference? and then make a few points specifically addressing the issue of foreign interference in education."

The presentation highlighted the dangerous trend of conflating legitimate Chinese community engagement with national security threats. While acknowledging genuine concerns about foreign interference, Jakobson warned against creating an atmosphere of suspicion that targets people of Chinese heritage, undermines academic freedom, and damages Australia's multicultural society.

The speech called for a more nuanced approach that distinguishes between actual threats and legitimate activities, emphasizing the importance of maintaining open dialogue and academic exchange while protecting national interests.

A New China Narrative for Australia

In this document (27 June 2019), together with contributors Stephen FitzGerald, Allan Gyngell, Jackson Kwok, Andrew Parker, and Michael Wesley, I address the question, why we have to engage with the People's Republic of China (PRC). A simple answer obscures the complexities of this great yet controversial nation. We untangle the numerous often contentious issues to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding Australia's relationship with China.

The narrative argues that Australia needs a more sophisticated and realistic approach to China policy—one that moves beyond the binary choice between blind engagement and confrontation. It recognizes China's growing power and influence while maintaining Australia's values and strategic interests. The document explores how Australia can pursue a middle path that involves robust engagement, clear-eyed assessment of risks, and strategic autonomy.

Key themes include the need for better public discourse about China, the importance of understanding Chinese perspectives and motivations, the role of economic interdependence, and strategies for managing differences while preserving cooperation in areas of mutual interest. The narrative emphasizes that Australia's future prosperity and security require a mature, informed, and principled relationship with China.

This collaborative work represents a significant contribution to the debate about Australia's China policy, offering practical recommendations for policymakers, business leaders, and educators on how to navigate the complex relationship with Australia's largest trading partner and most consequential neighbor in the Asia-Pacific region.

Submission to Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security

I am grateful to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) for this opportunity to comment on the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Bill 2017. Please note that this submission is a duplicate of my submission to the PJCIS regarding the National Security Legislation Amendment (Espionage and Foreign Interference) Bill 2017.

Recommendation #1: Avoid demonising people of Chinese heritage. The government must be careful not to create an atmosphere where Australians of Chinese background feel unfairly targeted or where legitimate engagement with China is viewed with suspicion.

The submission provides detailed analysis of the proposed legislation and its potential impact on Australia's Chinese community, academic institutions, and civil society organizations. It emphasizes the importance of balancing national security concerns with the preservation of democratic freedoms and multicultural values.