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Australian universities at the heart of ‘unprecedented’ foreign interference
“Lucrative” research partnerships between Australian universities and China are not only endangering academic autonomy but are also presenting a threat to our national security, according to a policy analyst interviewed on ABC TV’s 4 Corners program.
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This is a completely senseless and baseless scare mongering, which, if not checked, will cost Australian universities (and research and education sector in genera)l very dearly. Scientific and educational exchanges with any country (and China is no exception) are mutually beneficial. Frankly, considering the huge difference in size and the massive investment China made in research and the enormous leap it has made over the last decade, Australia has far more to gain out of this cooperation than China does. And far more to lose should that cooperation be derailed by this bizarre and totally anachronistic new “red scare”. This mindless anti-China campaign directed by obscure think tanks (what is the Australian Strategic Policy Institute and who funds it anyway?) and self-serving spooks cannot be in Australia’s national interest. One just have to wonder if other foreign forces are not at work here aiming to tear Australia away from China and to destroy the mutually beneficial partnership of our two countries.
Really Igor? Senseless and baseless. It is a not a question of proportionality or requiring careful consideration? This is the problem with foreign influence. People like Igor don’t realize that their world view has been manipulated. Igor is a perfect example of what the problem is.
Believing everything written in this piece without evidence would be irresponsible. Find inequivocal evidence of unlawful interference or espionage from China, or any other country, first, and then start the witch hunt. Serious journalists should think about the impact of their claims. We need to trust someone, do not disappoint us.
No ‘claims’ were made by the journalist in the story, only reportage.