China in Australia and the accounts of soft power
"Now is the winter of our discontent", laments the cold wind wafting south to Australia. This follows Australian media having expressed outrage at possible inducements to politicians, by some Chinese Australians, inducement being a form of coercion for political scientist Joseph Nye Jr.
The Australian parliament has responded with new legislation to curb such influence. And Chinese Australians, highly respected and valued citizens, are upset about being embroiled in this controversy.
The claims of mutual soft power dissipation by Australia and China deserve serious thought from a soft power perspective. Goodwill toward China, built up through robust trade relations with Australia, need not be affected by political lobbying by a Chinese Australian. Conversely, the loss of soft power, through unwelcome political lobbying, need not affect soft power in trade.
