‘Serious and profound problem’: Warning from one of Australia’s most distinguished China experts
Dr John Lee, one of Australia’s most prominent China experts warns Australia has a “serious and profound problem” that could be “politically beneficial” to one party.
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One of Australia’s most distinguished China experts has warned that “Australia has a serious and profound problem” when it comes to attempts by Beijing to sway local elections by influencing Chinese-Australian voters.
Dr John Lee, currently a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and a former principal adviser on Asia to the Australian government, told this masthead that “the People’s Republic of China has spent enormous efforts weaponising some sections of the Australian Chinese diaspora to advocate for the PRC’s interests and values.”
“This might have been politically beneficial for the Labor government in the last elections but it creates problematic structural problems for social cohesion in Australian society and politics.”
The claim comes after this masthead revealed Taiwanese officials had been briefed by DFAT about attempts by the CCP to influence elections in Australia via the diaspora overseas Chinese population.
China has long stood accused of attempting to interfere in the politics of Western democracies, including Australia.
In 2022, news reports indicated that a wealthy Chinese businessman tried to get Labor candidates elected in that year’s federal election.
The potential for Chinese interference was again raised in the 2025 federal election by Liberal senator Jane Hume, who was smacked down by Labor after she suggested “Chinese spies” might be volunteering for Labor frontbencher Clare O’Neil.
The backlash to the comments led to large swings to Labor in seats with big Chinese-Australian populations including Bennelong and Reid in NSW and Menzies, Aston, and Chisholm in Victoria.
Lee added that the prime minister needed to not be “indifferent or ignorant” of China’s attempt to split the US alliance as he visits China this week.
“There is nothing wrong with Albanese visiting China in and of itself.”
“However, Beijing views relationships with regional countries in inherently competitive terms in that its primary aim is to encourage distance or division between the US and regional allies.”
“That Albanese did not seem enthusiastic about a possible meeting with VP Vance when that was feasible suggests Albanese is indifferent or ignorant about how Beijing as to Beijing’s intentions.”
“Moreover, that Albanese is more enthusiastic about narrowing differences with China than he is with the US is quite a radical departure.”
Of the Albanese government’s approach to China, Lee said, “a more conciliatory Australian approach towards China has not resulted in any significant lessening of harmful Chinese actions in the military, political, or interference contexts.”
“Countries like Australia need to impose their own non-negotiable anchor points and positions with states such as China for the sake of its long term interests and future capacity to make our own decisions in our own best interests.”
“I don’t think Albanese has done that.”
Originally published as ‘Serious and profound problem’: Warning from one of Australia’s most distinguished China experts
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