More than 30 Australian scholars, including world-renowned sinologist Jay (Geremie Barme), have urged the government to delay its foreign influence legislation and oppose stigmatization of Chinese Australians.
In an open letter, the academics said the "Foreign impact Transparency Program" was a threat to freedom of knowledge and required broader public consultation. They also wrote that the tone of the debate on the issue must be more calm.
The first Australian ambassador to China, Stephen Fitzgerald (Stephen Fitzgerald), was also one of the signatories. He said the co-sponsors included prominent Chinese government critics and "those who have long been in charge of warning of the challenges posed by China`s becoming a big country and urging Australia to be prepared for it."
(David Brophy), a senior lecturer at the University of Sydney, said: "the view that Australia`s sovereignty is threatened by a huge conspiracy by China has been a popular talking point around these new legal debates. But we don`t want Congress to debate the new law without knowing that many Chinese experts in Australia reject it. More importantly, they believe that the new law will divide society and be very dangerous. "
He said his colleagues responded directly to the open letter, with 30 signatures in one day.
"this shows that many Chinese experts in Australia have been worried about the direction of the recent debate and have been looking for a way to say it." He said。
Broffey has been critical of Clive Hamilton (Clive Hamilton) `s controversial new book, the silent invasion, of the Chinese government`s influence over Australia.
The letter was signed by Professor (Jocelyn Chey), a winner of the Australian Medal, who has worked at the Foreign Ministry for 20 years and devoted himself to Australia-China relations.
Bai Jieming has written a number of books about China. He is a former chairman of the Department of Chinese History at the National University of Australia (ANU) and is often critical of the Communist Party.
The letter was submitted to the Congressional Committee to consider the bill on foreign influence.
"it is our expertise in China that has prompted us to be skeptical of the critical propositions of this narrative," it said.
"for example, we have not seen any evidence that China intends to export its political system to Australia, or that its actions are aimed at undermining our sovereignty."
The letter said that the public debate over the influence of the Chinese government had tended to "prevent Chinese Australians from participating in public debates because they were concerned about the conspiracy."
The letter also "strongly rejects any claim that our Australian Chinese community is intimidated or bought off by pro-Chinese interests."
The letter pointed out that the rise of China had a lot of impact on Australia and "raised some difficult questions for us."
If there is "clear evidence of criticism of China`s actions, there should be no hesitation to review and impose appropriate penalties."
However, it warned that Chinese in Australia should enjoy the same freedom as any other person in the democratic system to express their views, support or criticize any policy "without being accused of representing the interests of hostile countries. The speech was dismissed ".
About half of the signatories are Chinese immigrants who have become Australian citizens.
