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Foreign interference

As debates on foreign interference in Australia continue, we asked Chinese-Australians about their perspectives on the influence of foreign countries, relative attention given to interference, and their interactions with Chinese officials and organisations.

Key Finding
62%
are concerned about the influence of the United States on Australia’s political processes

Chinese-Australians continue to report low levels of contact with the Chinese embassy or consulate.

QUESTION  Over the last 12 months, how often, if at all, have you had any contact with the Chinese embassy or consulate in your state or territory?

  1. 0%
  2. 20%
  3. 40%
  4. 60%
  5. 80%
  6. 100%
2020
14
39
45
2021
4
14
23
59
2022
13
28
54
3

Chinese-Australians’ interaction with Chinese community and cultural organisations has remained consistent over the past three years.

QUESTION  Over the last 12 months, how often, if at all, have you had any interaction with Chinese community and cultural organisations?

  1. 0%
  2. 20%
  3. 40%
  4. 60%
  5. 80%
  6. 100%
2020
7
18
26
21
28
2021
7
14
23
26
29
2022
6
15
25
21
28
4

Around half of Chinese-Australians are concerned about foreign influence on Australia’s political processes from China, while nearly two-thirds are concerned about the influence of the United States.

QUESTION  Are you personally concerned or not concerned about the influence of each of the following countries on Australia’s political processes?

  1. 0%
  2. 20%
  3. 40%
  4. 60%
  5. 80%
  6. 100%
United States
2020
33
67
2021
36
64
2022
62
38
China
2020
46
54
2021
50
51
2022
54
46
Japan
2020
55
45
2021
53
47
2022
43
56
India
2020
54
46
2021
55
45
2022
38
62

The number of Chinese-Australians who say foreign interference is receiving about the right amount of attention in Australia has dropped over the past year.

QUESTION  Do you personally think too much, too little or about the right amount of attention is given to the issue of foreign interference by each of the following groups?

  1. 0%
  2. 20%
  3. 40%
  4. 60%
  5. 80%
  6. 100%
Politicians
2020
44
26
30
2021
31
50
19
2022
43
29
28
Media
2020
45
27
28
2021
34
50
16
2022
40
35
25
Public
2020
30
31
39
2021
19
58
23
2022
27
35
38