China’s praise for Brisbane City Council raises concerns
The Chinese communist party heaping praise on Brisbane City Council has raised eyebrows in Australia, coming as the Federal Government launches a crackdown on foreign interference.
QLD News
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As diplomatic relations sour between Canberra and Beijing, the Chinese Communist Party has heaped praise on Brisbane City Council – a move that has raised red flags in Australia.
It comes after spy agency ASIO last week warned that councils were also bei ng targeted for foreign influence and interference.
PM’s unprecedented crackdown on China’s influence
China’s foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian praised Brisbane City Council for voting to celebrate its 15-year anniversary of a sister-city agreement with Chongqing.
“We support the joint efforts of localities … to enhance mutual understanding, foster friendship and deepen co-operation so as to accumulate more positive energy for the improvement and development of China-Australia relations,” he said.
Sister-city agreements, as well as any agreements with foreign countries entered into by councils, state governments and universities, will be reviewed under a planned federal government crackdown on foreign influence.
Australian Strategic Policy Institute director Peter Jennings warned that while it might seem innocent, the agreements could be used as communist party propaganda and to undermine the federal government’s foreign policy approach.
“It’s precisely these sorts of connections that the Federal Government is reviewing,” he said. “China would be interested to use the connection to see it can get the council to sign up to the Belt and Road Initiative. While there’s not much harm in it, the council should be aware that they’re being used as an instrument of Chinese propaganda,” Mr Jennings said.
Lowy Institute senior fellow Richard McGregor said with sister-city agreements under scrutiny, the Chinese government had an interest in playing up their status.
“In this case, the aim would be to generate support in places where they matter, like Brisbane, in the hope that such influence in turn flows back into the decision-making process in Canberra,” he said.
A council spokeswoman said they worked closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to ensure its sister-city initiatives align with the national interest.
