Part 4/11:
Is Australia Ceding its Voice for Better Relations?
A critical concern voiced by analysts and journalists is that Australia appears to be prioritizing "keeping things sweet" with China at the expense of its own national interests. James Campbell, writing in the Herald Sun, noted that Australia's approach has shifted from resisting Chinese economic coercion to essentially backing down—ceasing criticism of China's aggressive tactics, such as spying and harassment of the Chinese diaspora, and downplaying military activities like live-fire exercises and surveillance.