China scholar Mark Wang warns that Australia's research on China has reached a 'crisis point' due to a sharp decline in funding from the Australian Research Council (ARC) over the past decade. Wang highlights the importance of ARC funding for large-scale research projects and cites his own experience losing funding for a water diversion study in 2017.
China scholar Mark Wang still remembers a time in the 2000s when Australia's China studies was vibrant and in a leading position in the world.
"I used to take dozens of students to China every year to visit the cities and villages, meeting a lot of ordinary Chinese people."warning the Australian Research Council , the federal government's top non-medical research funding body, that the state of Australia's research on China had hit "crisis point".that found China-related research projects funded by the ARC had been in sharp decline over more than a decade with no projects funded in 2023.
"China is our largest trading partner, a rising global power and a big player in many global challenges — it is totally unbelievable to stop funding research on China at this time." The Australian Foreign Policy White Paper in 2017 represented a shift in Australia's attitude to China with a focus on national security risks, and efforts to counter China's influence in the Asia-Pacific region.Australia's security agencies and senior government ministers became increasingly vocal about the scale of foreign interference by China, including in the university sector.
"Private funding has decreased, because Australian companies don't want to take the risks ," he said. There is no publicly available data on the number of students in China-focused courses, but a case study of the University of Melbourne in the report showed an overall declining number of enrolments.Despite China's meteoric rise, few young Australians are studying the country's language or culture."It's more of a 'pragmatic calculation'," he said.
CHINA STUDIES FUNDING CUTS RESEARCH AUSTRALIA INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Australia's Ashleigh Gentle wins bronze for Australia at Ironman 70.3 World ChampionshipAshleigh Gentle produces a blistering run leg to reach the podium at the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Taupō, New Zealand.
Read more »
Australia and India Draw Third Test Despite Rain Delay and Australia's Top Order CollapseThe third Test match between Australia and India ended in a draw after rain interrupted play on day five at the Gabba. Despite Australia's valiant effort to chase a quick score and set up an unlikely win, their top order collapsed, ultimately allowing India to secure a draw.
Read more »
Western Australia Wins Bid for Australia's First Green Iron PlantWestern Australia has secured Australia's first green iron plant, beating out competition from New South Wales and South Australia. The $75 million investment will see an Electric Smelting Furnace (ESF) built in Kwinana, utilizing Pilbara ore to produce green iron, the key ingredient in zero-emissions steel.
Read more »
China's Jaecoo confirms PHEV SUV with 1200km range for Australia7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more »
Australia spends $140m to China-proof NauruChina will be blocked from striking any security or telecommunications deals with Nauru in exchange for $140 million from Australian taxpayers.
Read more »
Australia spends $140m to China-proof NauruChina will be blocked from striking any security or telecommunications deals with Nauru in exchange for $140 million from Australian taxpayers.
Read more »