The roof of the Chinese embassy in Australia can only be seen in the Australian parliament Building. (Photo of AUSA)
Against the background of the continued tightening of relationship in Australia and China and the intensification of racial discrimination, many Chinese Australians have said they have become "collateral victims ". They urged Australia to increase its engagement with and support for the Chinese community.
An investigation report submitted by the Australian Chinese Community Council (Australia Chinese Community Council) to the Senate Council hearing recently revealed that the continuous political tensions and the new crown pandemic have caused the Chinese population to be increasingly marginalized, including ethnicity. Ism attack.
Australia and China Community parliament is a Chinese community organization established in 2007, composed of overseas Chinese representatives and some friendly people from Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra. The main purpose of the meeting is to contact and unite Chinese people everywhere to better safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese and overseas Chinese in Australia.
The Australian and Chinese community parliament called for government at all levels to take action to maintain social cohesion and strengthen community cooperation with Chinese people.
In its submission, the organization wrote :" The seriousness of this issue, which involves 1.2 million Chinese-Australians, should not be underestimated. It may have a broad impact across the country. We convey to you our aspirations and requests to help us through this difficult period of geopolitical uncertainty. "
While there has been a dramatic increase in racism and violence against Asian Australians since the outbreak of the new crown, the Australian community parliament believes that Australia is not a racist country at heart.
It stated in the document :" Despite the increase in racist acts in Australia, we do not consider ourselves racist. Because over the past 50 years, so many Australian and Australian leader have opened the door to Chinese immigrants from China and other parts of Asia. "
A challenging year for Australia and China relationship. Australia called on the international community in April to launch an independent investigation into the origin of the new crown, and in May trade disputes with China escalated. After the enactment of the Hong Kong-related National Security Law last month, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison Morrison announced a "safe haven visa" for Hong Kong residents and suspended the extradition agreement signed earlier with Hong Kong.
Chinese government have also issued travel reminders and study warnings to Australia, warning nationals not to travel or study in Australia in the near future.
The Australian community parliament said the rise in against China sentiment in Australia was creating "unnecessary stress and trauma" and that the Commonwealth government had a responsibility to calm against China mood.
"We realize that Australia has always had difficulties dealing with a rising China because of cultural differences, political prejudice, misunderstanding and misinformation. We should use constructive diplomatic means to solve these problems. "
In the early months of the new crown outbreak, morrison condemned the increase in "chinese exclusion" and repeatedly praised the chinese-australian contribution to the australian epidemic.
He told SBS in an interview in April :" It is the Chinese-Australian community that effectively protects Australia. They have taken the lead, and the general public is now following suit. "
Speaking later about the relationship, he said the diplomatic stance taken by the Australian federal government had provoked Chinese discontent, but it was in Australia's national interest.
