隨著美國總統特朗普進一步落實孤立主義, 世界各國和平及安全進入一個新階段, 因為美國作為世界警察的模式改變了, 澳洲也無法不調整她的安全政策。

最近澳洲與巴布新畿內亞簽訂了新的聯防協議, 讓巴布新畿內亞居民可以成為澳洲軍隊一部分。不單如此,新加坡總理黃循財訪問澳洲, 表示要與澳洲建立更緊密的軍事合作, 維持太平洋地區的和平及安全。黃循財總理更表示他對於AUKUS中美國參與維持地區和平角色表示樂觀及支持。

傳統以來澳洲依賴英國提供軍事保護, 一直到第二次大戰後英國國力衰退, 澳洲轉移與美國建立合作夥伴關係。不過今天隨著中國國力增強, 開始與美國在太平洋地區進行競爭, 在軍事實力上顯示出她的影響力。澳洲附近太平洋島國也開放與中國建立更多合作, 這些都令到澳洲對自身的安全部署, 要重新思考。

到底中國在太平洋地區的影響力增強會影響到澳洲的安全嗎? 這是一個很多人都沒有答案的問題。

過去200多年中國長期處於積弱狀態, 根本沒有能力影響世界其他國家。不過,共產中國成立後, 確也曾在不少東南亞國家推動共產主義革命, 引起不少國家的擔心, 但反共與反華是兩個完全不同的概念。

共產主義是一種意識形態, 只要不實施暴力革命奪取政權, 在西方民主社會並未視為威脅, 在澳洲是可以接受的。而自實施多元文化政策後, 澳洲社會對華裔澳洲人是很能接受的, 但對中國的強大及軍事力量的威脅, 有一部分人是有擔心。

中國是澳洲最大的貿易夥伴, 而中國留學生也佔著整體學生極高比例, 澳洲多元文化社區中華裔澳洲人也是一個重要部分, 因此到底澳洲對中國應該持怎樣的態度, 已變成澳洲不能不去面對和思考的重要問題。

從歷史發展看, 澳洲的地理位置確令她成為一個相當安全的國家。但從今天俄烏戰爭及以色列與哈馬斯的糾紛, 我們見到新一代戰爭, 並不只是傳統的海陸空殺傷對方軍事力量的活動, 更是包括多方位的資訊、情報、經濟、文化、社會意識形態等不同層面的戰爭。在這新概念下的戰爭, 澳洲準備好了嗎?

作為一個多元文化國家, 一旦世界各處發生戰爭或者糾紛, 澳洲社會的安全及穩定就會受到影響, 因為不同民族的衝突都有可能反映在澳洲社會的和諧之內。澳洲民族之間的團結及凝聚力與及對澳洲價值觀的認同和支持, 變成了重要並且不可以被忽視。如何建立澳洲多元文化社會的發展也就成為了國家安全的基礎考量?

周偉文, 社長

Multicultural Policy and Australia’s Security 

As U.S. President Donald Trump further implements isolationism, global peace and security have entered a new phase. This shift stems from changes in the way the “world police” operates, prompting Australia to adjust its security policies in parallel..

Recently, Australia signed a new joint defence agreement with Papua New Guinea, allowing PNG citizens to become part of the Australian military. In addition, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong visited Australia and expressed a desire to establish closer military cooperation with Australia to maintain peace and security in the Pacific region. Prime Minister Wong also expressed optimism and support for the U.S.’s role in maintaining regional peace under the AUKUS agreement.

Historically, Australia relied on the UK for military protection. However, after World War II and the decline of British power, Australia shifted towards building a partnership with the United States. Today, as China’s national power grows and it begins to compete with the U.S. in the Pacific region, China’s military influence has become increasingly visible. Many Pacific island nations near Australia are also opening up to more cooperation with China. All of this has led Australia to reassess its own national security. 

Will China’s growing influence in the Pacific affect Australia’s security? This is a question that many people do not yet have an answer to.

For the past 200 years, China had long been in a weakened state and lacked the ability to influence other countries. However, after the founding of the Communist regime, China did support communist revolutions in several Southeast Asian countries, causing concern among many nations. But it’s important to distinguish between anti-communism and anti-China sentiment—these are two very different concepts.

Communism is an ideology. As long as it doesn’t involve violent revolution to seize power, it is not considered a threat in Western democratic societies, and is acceptable in Australia. Since the implementation of multicultural policies, Australian society has been generally embracing Chinese-Australians. However, there is still concern among some about the threat posed by a powerful and militarized China.

China is Australia’s largest trading partner, and Chinese international students make up a significant portion of our education sector. Chinese-Australians are also an important part of Australia’s multicultural community. Therefore, what kind of attitude Australia should take towards China has become an imminent question.

From a historical perspective, Australia’s geographical location has made it a relatively safe country. But the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas conflict show us that modern warfare is no longer limited to traditional military actions by land, sea, and air. Instead, it includes multi-dimensional conflicts across information, intelligence, economy, culture, and ideological spheres. Is Australia prepared for this new kind of warfare? This is a question worth contemplating.

As a multicultural nation, when conflicts arise in different parts of the world, Australia’s own social stability and security may be affected. Ethnic conflicts elsewhere can potentially reflect or manifest within Australian society. Thus, unity and cohesion among Australia’s ethnic communities, as well as shared recognition and support of Australian values, have become crucial and must not be overlooked. In this context, how to further develop Australia’s multicultural society has thus become a foundational concern for its own national security.

Mr. Raymond Chow, Publisher