Jocelyn Chey

Jocelyn Chey is Visiting Professor at the University of Sydney and Adjunct Professor at Western Sydney University and UTS. She formerly held diplomatic posts in China and Hong Kong. She is a member of the Order of Australia (AM) and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of International Affairs.

Jocelyn's recent articles

JOCELYN CHEY. Corona Politics and China Relations

Recent media discussion of relations between Australia and China seems run to a simplistic logic, dividing the world into goodies and baddies. Such a line is being promoted by Donald Trump in an attempt to shift blame for the spread of Covid-19, and now prominent Republican Mitt Romney has joined the chorus, calling for the US to unite with its friends against China's untethered abuse.

JOCELYN CHEY. People Matter Lets Not Make Exceptions

The corona virus emergency should bring out the best in people, but in some it is causing vicious blame-sharing. Fingers are being pointed at Chinese Australians and accusations levelled of lack of patriotism and even illegal activities.

JOCELYN CHEY: Turbo Charge or Tough It Out? The New Board for the Foundation for Australia-China Relations

One important category of Chinese Australians is not represented, and some choices seem calculated to prejudice improving relations with the Peoples Republic of China.

JOCELYN CHEY Two Systems One Strait

The re-election of Tsai Ying-wen at the weekend ensures the continuation of the status quo as far as relations between the Republic of China and the Peoples Republic across the Strait.

JOCELYN CHEY.- China Series: Where To From Here?(A repost from 23.12.2019)

A SERIES of posts on this blog in the last two weeks have highlighted aspects of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) that are often overlooked in discussion of the bilateral relationship. We have to get used to living with the Chinese elephant in our neighbourhood.

JOCELYN CHEY China: Where To From Here?

A series of posts on this blog in the last two weeks have highlighted aspects of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) that are often overlooked in discussion of the bilateral relationship. We have to get used to living with the Chinese elephant in our neighbourhood.

JOCELYN CHEY. Immutable China?

China is often described as a nation with unchanging values and an alien culture, inscrutable and radically different from our own. Chinese culture is said to be characterised by unquestioning loyalty to the State, emphasis on the group to the prejudice of the individual, networks of personal and business connections (the term guanxi has entered the business lexicon) and high regard for face.

Pearls and Irritations China Series.

Spying. Lobbying. Corruption. Debt trap diplomacy. It seems Australias relations with the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) have sunk to an all-time low. It is therefore all the more important to understand that country. Criticisms of its present government and of the Chinese Communist Party are often justified but not when they are based on flimsy evidence, supposition and innuendo. This is no basis for a serious relationship, which Australia certainly needs.

JOCELYN CHEY. One Two,Buckle my Seatbelt; Hong Kong's Special Status

The world has changed hugely since 1984. China of course has grown richer and more powerful. Since Xi Jinping was made Party and state leader in 2013 it has changed in more sinister ways. He has increased central control and waged a campaign to suppress dissent. Hong Kongs special status under One Country Two Systems does not accord with his ethos. This alone is enough to guarantee friction between Beijing and Hong Kong.

JOCELYN CHEY. "A Solution of Sorts"

Public trust in China as a responsible international player has declined dramatically according to the Lowy Institutes annual poll released this week. The reasons for this are not hard to find since there has been ongoing anti-China propaganda in the media over the last year. Just as the orators in C.P. Cavafys 1904 poem Waiting for the Barbarians whipped up the good people of their city into tremulous expectation and dread that the barbarians were about to enter their gates, Australians have fallen for the line they have been fed. For the wordsmiths, the defence and security analysts, it has...

JOCELYN CHEY Hongkongers deserve support.

Sundays march on Hong Kongs Legislative Council brought an estimated million people onto the streets, which if true would make it the largest demonstration in the history of the Special Administrative Region. The reason for the demonstration was the proposed Extradition Treaty, which will be debated on Tuesday 11thJune. Legislators will do well to listen to the voice of the people and the rest of the world has one last chance to put their concerns.

JOCELYN CHEY. Remembering June Fourth

As people in Australia and around the world remember the events of June Fourth 1989, I think back to my own experience. The story is worth repeating and perhaps can give some guidance to all who are presently trying to deal with the conundrum that is the Peoples Republic of China.

JOCELYN CHEY. Civilisations should not clash

The United States relationship with China has been defined by a State Department senior official as a clash of civilisations. Chinas response was given by President Xi Jinping in a speech that stressed the importance of respect for all cultures. Each side however interprets civilisation and culture in a narrow sense that prejudices dialogue. Let us hope that Australia does not fall into the Huntington trap.

JOCELYN CHEY. Cyber-security need not tear countries apart

Telecommunications company Huawei legal action against the US Governments ban on their involvement in 5G roll-out is a counter attack on claims that their involvement would impact national security. Exaggerated fears about cyber threat are part of a US campaign to contain China, and form the background to this weeks warning to the UK Government by former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Cyber security is a concern to all national governments, but, rather than put up barriers, more can and should be done to develop protocols and agreements for international cooperation in this area, and in this China, Australia and South...

What to do about Human Rights in China

Human rights in China are under threat. The Peoples Republic of China (PRC) government ignores international representations. Should Australia even attempt to intervene? What would we risk? The easy course would be to do the minimum and restrict our representations to cases where Australian citizens and interests are directly involved. Despite possible repercussions for other aspects of our vital bilateral relationship, Australia should take a stand and declare to the PRC and other countries that the ideals of human rights are central to our cultural identity.

JOCELYN CHEY. Xi Jinping V. Allah

Protests are growing around the world over the forced detention and re-education of the Muslim Uighurs in Chinas far west Xinjiang Province. It is important to frame our response in terms of our commitment to the protection of civil and political rights. The Uighurs are not terrorists as Beijing propaganda has painted them.

Chinese Australians Or Australian Chinese?

The Chinese Australian community has been hijacked in the current public debate about the extent of Chinese influence in Australia. Far-right elements are fanning anti-Asian feelings and there is an upsurge in racism in major cities. Government leaders now more than ever should affirm the many contributions of the Chinese Australian community. It is an asset in our relationship with the Peoples Republic of China.

JOCELYN CHEY. Chung Kuo, Cina: Dj Vu.

The ABC has been off-line in China since 22 August and press reports speculate that the Chinese ban is retaliation for Canberras decision on foreign investment in the telecommunication industry, which effectively bars Chinas telecom giant Huawei from participating in the roll-out of our 5G network. Chinese media did indeed call Canberras move (announced during the Liberal Party leadership crisis) an unfriendly action. There is, however, a back story that indicates a wider problem - Chinas creaking cyberspace interface with the outside world. This is something Xi Jinpings government must fix if the country is truly to take its place...

JOCELYN CHEY. Mad, bad and dangerous? Australia in Chinese eyes.

Once upon a time, Chinese people regarded Australia as a friendly, safe, stable country with a beautiful natural environment and reliable system of law and government. No longer. In 2018, Chinese parents prefer Britain or Canada when considering where to send their children for education. Chinese scholars note that Australia has been involved in every war launched by the United States. Since they do not regard Donald Trump as a responsible leader, they think it quite likely that he could launch a military attack on China. In that case, they believe that Australia would side with America.

JOCELYN CHEY. Caught in the middle: Chinese Australians feel unwanted

International disputes between contending powers frequently result in persecution of local ethnic minorities. Look at how local German and Japanese communities were treated during the two World Wars, for instance, or how people of Middle Eastern background have been profiled since the rise of Al Qaeda and ISIS. As suspicions of China predominate in Canberra, and stand-offs occur, for instance in the South China Sea, the loyalties of Chinese Australians have been called into question. This year marks the 200th anniversary of the first Chinese immigrant to settle in Australia. The Chinese community will celebrate that event, but the contributions...

JOCELYN CHEY. China Watchers Are Not China Stooges.

Australia needs informed and balanced study and reporting on China more than ever before. Informed opinion depends on the ability to see both sides of the picture and to avoid over-simplification.

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