Is Australia in the dark about its most powerful neighbours?
A deeper understanding of China, including how China sees itself, is critical to our ability to comprehend the dynamics of the multipolar global environment.
Our knowledge of Asian countries is central to our ability successfully to navigate the future. Yet it is extraordinary to discover, through systematic and careful research, that in 2023 Australia’s research-based expertise about the countries of our geographic region is thin.
It is even more dramatic to realise, again through research, that this base of essential knowledge and skills is becoming more frayed and thinner over time. We have come to realise that as a middle power nation, Australia knows less about the key countries in our region than we need to. This is a national challenge that must be addressed.
Peter VargheseContributorPeter Varghese is the chancellor of the University of Queensland and a former secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
