China-Australia relations: threat of war, race-baiting feature in campaigning ahead of May 21 election

Long before canvassing began for May’s federal election, Canberra talked of national security threats from Beijing, like cyberattacks or even war

Racism is also an issue. Some ads implied a vote for opposition Labor meant supporting China; experts say this kind of messaging will lead to more prejudice against Asians, keeping them ‘othered’

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Published: 4:00am, 9 May 2022Updated: 6:04pm, 9 May 2022

Chinese-Australian accountant Jac* found recent election advertisements with the caption “CCP says Vote Labor” driven by trucks across Australia very shortsighted.

The giant ads, referring to the Communist Party of China, portray Chinese President Xi Jinping voting.

Funded by lobby groups Advance Australia, they were aimed at the Australian government’s rival, the Labor party, for being soft on Beijing.

In contrast, the government has used “being tough on China” as an election mantra as Australia prepares to vote in a federal election on May 21.

Adverts showing China’s President Xi Jinping and the caption “CCP says Vote Labor” were recently driven across Australia. Photo: Facebook

Sydney-based Jac said the advert was less about “threats” from China, like war, and more about the shallowness of Australian politicians and lobby groups. He also rued what he described as the government’s inability to preserve Australia’s interests through diplomacy and cooperation with regional partners.

Many Chinese-Australians saw the ad “and laughed”, Jac said. “What’s worse was it conveyed misleading messages to voters.”