Launch of ACRI Report: Do the claims stack up? Australia talks China

The Australia-China Relations Institute (ACRI) at the University of Technology Sydney will launch a new report by Professor James Laurenceson, ACRI Deputy Director, entitled 'Do the claims stack up? Australia talks China'.

When Australia talks about China, the China Opportunity, illustrated by $184 billion dollars of two-way trade, isn’t the whole story. Some of China’s behaviour, such as in the South China Sea, presents challenges to Australia’s national interest. However, some Australian scholars and policy practitioners have warned that this China Challenge can easily become a discourse of China Threat, China Angst and China Panic. This way of talking about China sees claims and assertions separated from a firm evidence base.

This new ACRI report reveals just how widespread this discourse has become in recent years. If this were to become a habit, it might sabotage the calm and reasoned response the China Challenge demands. At the same time, it could provoke policy responses that make it harder for Australia to capitalise on the benefits offered by the China Opportunity.

Report author ACRI Deputy Director Professor James Laurenceson will be interviewed by ACRI Director Professor Bob Carr and participate in a Q&A session with the audience.

The event is free, but registration is essential as seats are limited. Follow the "attend" button above.