Claim OwnershipThe China Files with Chris Smith
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The China Files with Chris Smith examines China's emergence as a global superpower and its plans for Australia and the Indo-Pacific.
Emboldened by its relentless economic growth, China's increasingly muscular geopolitical stance has led to frosty relations between Canberra and Beijing that show no signs of thawing. Where to from here?
Host Chris Smith speaks with leading experts about the impact of Australia's changing relationship with China.
19 Episodes
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In the final episode of the China Files for 2022, Chris is joined by Peter Jennings, former executive director and current senior fellow at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, and principle of Peter Jennings Strategy Consultants.Peter expertly unpacks the implications of Xi Jingping's appointment to a third term as president - including changes to China's identity, whether a thawing in relationships with Australia is likely, and most importantly, whether this places us on the clock for conflict in the Pacific. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party has pushed Xi Jingping's leadership into a second decade. What implications does this have for the country - and indeed, the world?To discuss this, Chris is joined by the Australian Financial Review's North Asia correspondent, Michael Smith.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Over 56% of Electric Vehicle batteries come from China. It's a fact that's little thought about, but has massive implications for Australia's EV policies, sovereignty and security. Defence and technology development expert and the chair of the Liberal Party's Defence and National Security Policy Branch, Lincoln Parker, discusses this, along with the state of Australia's defence forces. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Communist Party of China's top leaders are set to converge for a historic meeting in just ten days time. What will this mean for the country's future - and for ours?This episode's expert guest, former Australia-China Council scholar and businessman Andrew Phelan, helps answer these questions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Clive Hamilton is a Professor of Public Ethics at Charles Sturt University in Canberra, who has authored two books on China: 'Silent Invasion: China's Influence in Australia' and 'Hidden Hand: Exposing How The Chinese Communist Party Is Reshaping The World.' He shares his insights on China's ambitions, influence, what has driven President Biden's reaffirmed stance against an invasion of Taiwan, and how well Australia's new leadership is handling these delicate relationships. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
China and Russia are increasingly being mentioned in the same breaths. Just how close are these two autocratic superpowers? And how does this relationship influence their presences on the world stage?For expert insight into this question, Chris is joined by former defense intelligence official and Emeritus Professor Paul Dibb of the Strategic and Defense Studies Centre at the Australian National University.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
One of the biggest questions that underscores everything to do with current tensions between China and Australia, and within our region more broadly, is simply 'how did we get here?'This week, expert guest Emeritus Professor John Fitzgerald from theCentre for Social Impact at Swinburne University of technology in Melbourne, gives detailed insight into this very question.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The tense China-Taiwan relationship already has a history spanning over 40 years, and even though its intensity has reached new heights within the previous two, there are many factors at play that will continue to shift its course - and determine the wisest response for the rest of the world. This week's expert guest, Greg Barton, Research Professor in Asian Studies at Deakin University in Melbourne, helps illuminate this fluctuating landscape, including the role surveillance strategies are playing on both sides. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As tensions and speculations swirl through our news cycle in regard to China's intentions for Taiwan, how does it feel to be a citizen there? What is the mood, the mindset? And what actions and preparations are being taken? For these insights and more, Chris is joined by expert guest Dr Roger Huang, a Taiwanese American and lecturer in Terrorism Studies and Political Violence in the Department of Security Studies and Criminology at Macquarie University. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
After a tense week in US - China relations, Chris unpacks the happenings and implications of Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan. Plus, Senator James Paterson discusses an important question - how much does the public really know about our region's security?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As China's power and prominence becomes more present on the world's stage, so too will its influence on other regions. This week's special guest is Kevin Yam, a lawyer, and pro-democracy activist who spent many years in Hong Kong. Kevin gives his insight into the list of demands Beijing recently handed Australia - were they really 'demands'? And do we have the right idea of what they meant, or was something lost in translation?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Trade and diplomatic relationships between Australia and China are nothing short of a shambles. What is needed to sort it out and for frosty temperaments to thaw?This week, Chris gets expert insight into these questions and their associated issues with special guest and world renowned economist, Professor Tim Harcourt.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Darwin is the site of the latest source of major confrontation between Bejing and the new Australian Government. The Port of Darwin is currently in the hands of a Chinese privately owned company, and pressure is building on the Government to end that lease, but that decision may end any hope Australia has, of having a trade truce between the two countries. This episode of The China Files is conducted from the Port of Darwin, with special expert guest John Garrick, University Fellow from the Asia Pacific College of Business and Law at Charles Darwin University.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From the reliance of global tech megabrands on Chinese manufacturing to the emergence of China's own market-leading consumer giants and their startling new military capabilities - this week, Chris takes a look at all aspects of China's technological landscape, with the help of special guest Stephen Fenech from techguide.com.au. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
For some time, ASIO has had the creeping influence of China on Australian universities in its sights. Despite this, very few have actively campaigned for transparency and honesty on tertiary campuses. One clear exception is Chris's special guest this week, Drew Pavlou. A political activist, former University Senator and recent political aspirant, Drew shares his story of how challenging Chinese authority from even within our institutions had shocking consequences. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Winemakers are feeling the pinch of supply chain pressures 15 months after China introduced tariffs on their products, an industry leader as revealed. China, Australia's top wine export market, placed tariffs of 116–218 per cent on bottled Australian wine imports in March last year. The Managing Director of South Australian-based winery Taylors, Mitchell Taylor, tells Chris Smith the industry was blindsided by the move.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
China clashes with the World Health Organisation again, but manages to win at seat on their Board. Today's expert Andrew Phelan will explain why China’s Belt & Road Initiative should be avoided at all costs, and the fight between Australia and China, in the wilds of the Congo.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The world has woken up to the fact that China’s rapid military expansion, its creeping influence in Africa and throughout the Indo-Pacific, and its clash with the West on trade, can no longer be ignored. Could Australia’s incoming Government be the catalyst for thawing an icy relationship with China? This week’s guest Lincoln Parker has worked internationally, in defence research and technology development. He chairs the NSW Liberal Party Defence & National Security Policy Branch, and is a regular commentator on security issues in the Indo-Pacific region. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The China Files with Chris Smith examines China's emergence as a global superpower and its plans for Australia and the Indo-Pacific. Emboldened by its relentless economic growth, China's increasingly muscular geopolitical stance has led to frosty relations between Canberra and Beijing that show no signs of thawing. Where to from here? Host Chris Smith speaks with leading experts about the impact of Australia's changing relationship with China.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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