Author Archives: Colin Mackerras

Colin Mackerras

About Colin Mackerras

COLIN MACKERRAS, AO, FAHA is Professor Emeritus at Griffith University, Queensland. He has visited and worked in China many times, during the first working as a teacher of English from 1964 to 1966 at the Beijing Foreign Studies University. He is a specialist on Chinese history, theatre, minority nationalities, Western images of China and Australia-China relations and has written widely on all topics. His many books include Western Perspectives on the People's Republic of China, Politics, Economy and Society, World Scientific Publishing, Singapore, 2015.

It’s dangerous for Australia to be so dependent on the United States

By Colin Mackerras | On 15 January 2021

On 6 January 2021, the same day as President Donald Trump crossed the red line into incitement of insurrection in Washington through the assault on the Capitol, his Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also crossed a line in provocations against … Continue reading →

Posted in World Affairs | 26 Comments

The long-term global balance of power is favouring China

By Colin Mackerras | On 29 December 2020

The twenty-first is likely to be China’s century. Over the period since I first started visiting and living in China in the mid-1960s, the global balance of power has shifted enormously in China’s favour. The US and the West have … Continue reading →

Posted in Top 5, World Affairs | 32 Comments

Bad relations with China are not in Australia’s interests

By Colin Mackerras | On 4 December 2020

Our leaders tell us continually that they will stand up to China on behalf of Australia’s interests. But I cannot see how the deteriorating relations with what is still our largest trading partner serves Australia’s interests in any way. Moreover, … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 1 Comment

Our ignorance of China is a disgrace

By Colin Mackerras | On 28 October 2020

It’s a disgrace that after half a century or so of multiculturalism, it is still possible that Australian Chinese can be made to feel disloyal merely on the basis of their ethnic background. That’s exactly what happened when right-wing Senator … Continue reading →

Posted in China, Politics | 7 Comments

China’s universities on the rise

By Colin Mackerras | On 9 September 2020

China’s universities are rising in the world university rankings. The United States is still well ahead, but the balance is shifting in China’s favour. The effects of Covid-19 are likely to intensify this shift.

Posted in China, Politics | 1 Comment

No war with China, cold or hot

By Colin Mackerras | On 7 August 2020

Australia must say no to any war with China, cold or hot. We must not follow US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in characterising US-China relations in Manichean terms, such as “freedom and democracy against tyranny”.

Posted in China | Leave a comment

China is not a threat to Australia

By Colin Mackerras | On 6 July 2020

China is neither an enemy nor a threat to Australia. The Morrison government and mainstream media do us all a great disservice when they set it up as such. This anti-China paranoia must stop, now!!

Posted in China, World Affairs | Leave a comment

COLIN MACKERRAS. The mess of Australia-China relations

By Colin Mackerras | On 28 May 2020

The downward spiral in Australia-China relations must stop. The Australian government must take a lead towards a major and long overdue reset.

Posted in Asia | 6 Comments