Decoding Australia’s “China Threat”: Geo-Politics, Knowledge Formation, and Public Opinion
Abstract
Over the past decade, in Australia as well as in many other liberal democracies, a “China threat” narrative has become the dominant framework for talking about China. Focusing on the role of media and academia in the production of knowledge about China, this Commentary aims to examine how the discursive category of threat is established, what gives it legitimacy, and what impact it has on public opinion. It argues that while “China threat” as a concept can be understood as a set of concerns or perceived dangers associated with the rise of China as a global power, the discourse is much more complex, entailing a system of knowledge production, the contestation of expertise, and a coalition of securitisation involving the media, politics, and the security establishment.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Hong Kong and Taiwan Politics
International Relations and Foreign Policy
Australian History and Society
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of Contemporary Asia
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Volume
- 56
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 303–315
- Publication date
- 8 January 2026
- Language
- EN