Great post. I think part of the failure of the China dialogue in the west is that we view international relations as a relatively zero sum game - you are an ally or not.
Whereas in much of the world more nuanced approaches are accepted rather than just a you’re with us or against us mindset. Asia has lived with a “big China” for a long time and lived alongside her, whereas the West hasn’t dealt with a China with a global reach before.
Also what’s missed by many in the West is the large scale Chinese cultural influence in places such as Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam. So at times the China as a nation and Chinese culture are not distinctively separated in the way we think of in the West.
This podcast by China Talk was super interesting in terms of how countries have handled China historically:
In France as in most western countries the perception of China till recently has been quite negative in the medias and in elite circles - companies often thinking of their consumers as cash cows. But Deep Seek has been a Sputnik moment: media coverage has radically changed and China is now presented for what it is, an innovative powerhouse. And standing firm against US tariffs is even more so shifting the perception as a possible ally in the new geopolitical reality.
Hi Cindy, I am enjoying your posts while still missing the Chinese Whispers podcast! I lived and worked in Hong Kong for 20 years. My wife’s family is part of the Hong Kong diaspora but still some left in Hong Kong. We live in Perth, Western Australia. Our economy in Australia depends heavily on China, particularly Western Australia. The view of most people in WA is transactional-as long as China keeps buying our iron ore, gas, wine, beef etc we’re happy doing business with them. We also have a substantial ethnic Chinese population. Many originally from Singapore and Malaysia, but in the last 20 years many from Mainland China. Chinese migrants generally settle in well. Their children adapt and frequently are high academic achievers. China is widely admired for its achievements. I don’t think that it is loved though. We were the subject of economic bullying for a few years because we didn’t toe the line. The present Labor federal government is less confrontational. There is a discussion to the extent that we are exposed on a military basis and China has flexed its muscles militarily. There are some commentators who believe that China is trying to neutralize us in the same way that the Soviet Union did to Finland in the Cold War.
Great episode, Cindy. UN roll-call data show many developing states back Beijing on routine issues yet side with Washington when costs climb. Feel free to reach out if you want to chat about the Chinese military, or you can read my PLA analysis here: https://ordersandobservations.substack.com
Great post. I think part of the failure of the China dialogue in the west is that we view international relations as a relatively zero sum game - you are an ally or not.
Whereas in much of the world more nuanced approaches are accepted rather than just a you’re with us or against us mindset. Asia has lived with a “big China” for a long time and lived alongside her, whereas the West hasn’t dealt with a China with a global reach before.
Also what’s missed by many in the West is the large scale Chinese cultural influence in places such as Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam. So at times the China as a nation and Chinese culture are not distinctively separated in the way we think of in the West.
This podcast by China Talk was super interesting in terms of how countries have handled China historically:
https://www.chinatalk.media/p/asias-great-power-wars
In France as in most western countries the perception of China till recently has been quite negative in the medias and in elite circles - companies often thinking of their consumers as cash cows. But Deep Seek has been a Sputnik moment: media coverage has radically changed and China is now presented for what it is, an innovative powerhouse. And standing firm against US tariffs is even more so shifting the perception as a possible ally in the new geopolitical reality.
Hi Cindy, I am enjoying your posts while still missing the Chinese Whispers podcast! I lived and worked in Hong Kong for 20 years. My wife’s family is part of the Hong Kong diaspora but still some left in Hong Kong. We live in Perth, Western Australia. Our economy in Australia depends heavily on China, particularly Western Australia. The view of most people in WA is transactional-as long as China keeps buying our iron ore, gas, wine, beef etc we’re happy doing business with them. We also have a substantial ethnic Chinese population. Many originally from Singapore and Malaysia, but in the last 20 years many from Mainland China. Chinese migrants generally settle in well. Their children adapt and frequently are high academic achievers. China is widely admired for its achievements. I don’t think that it is loved though. We were the subject of economic bullying for a few years because we didn’t toe the line. The present Labor federal government is less confrontational. There is a discussion to the extent that we are exposed on a military basis and China has flexed its muscles militarily. There are some commentators who believe that China is trying to neutralize us in the same way that the Soviet Union did to Finland in the Cold War.
Best wishes
Dusty
maybe
Great episode, Cindy. UN roll-call data show many developing states back Beijing on routine issues yet side with Washington when costs climb. Feel free to reach out if you want to chat about the Chinese military, or you can read my PLA analysis here: https://ordersandobservations.substack.com
One day the Chinese leadership will have to answer questions about its role in supporting the brutal Myanmar military govt.