Sydney: A growing wave of provocative rhetoric from Chinese policy circles and state-affiliated academics has raised serious concerns across the Indo-Pacific region, as Beijing’s strategic thinkers openly label Australia as “the next Taiwan” — a deeply unsettling comparison that has alarmed defense analysts and policymakers in Canberra and beyond.
According to recent reports from Chinese think tanks with close ties to the Communist Party, a new narrative is gaining momentum — one that frames Australia as a Western outpost in Asia-Pacific that must be “realigned” with Beijing’s long-term vision of regional dominance. The phrase “rightfully theirs” has been used by certain Chinese scholars, referring to Australia’s geographic proximity and increasing strategic importance in China’s plans for regional influence.
This radical shift in tone, although not yet official government policy, comes amid heightened tensions over Australia’s alliance with the United States, its participation in AUKUS (Australia-UK-US security pact), and its vocal stance on issues such as Taiwan, the South China Sea, and cyber-security threats originating from Chinese entities.
“It’s not just bluster — this is ideological groundwork,” says Dr. Evelyn Hartley, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI). “When China calls Australia ‘the next Taiwan,’ it’s signaling that it sees our sovereignty as negotiable in its sphere of influence.”
Australia Responds Firmly
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong swiftly responded to the reports, calling the rhetoric “irresponsible, dangerous, and entirely unacceptable.” She reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to democratic values, regional partnerships, and the rules-based international order.
“Let there be no doubt — Australia is an independent, sovereign nation, and our future will be decided by Australians, not foreign powers,” Minister Wong stated during a press conference in Canberra on Friday.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is reportedly in talks with key allies, including Japan, India, and the United States, to reinforce a unified front against rising authoritarian threats in the Indo-Pacific.
Experts Warn of Psychological Warfare
Defense experts caution that China’s strategy may not involve traditional military aggression but instead a complex campaign of psychological warfare, cyber intrusion, and economic coercion aimed at weakening Australia’s resolve and sowing division.
“This isn’t about invasion — it’s about influence and intimidation,” said Professor Liang Chen, a geopolitical analyst at the University of Sydney. “The goal is to isolate Australia diplomatically, fracture its alliances, and paint it as a puppet of the West.”
Public Reaction Mixed but Watchful
The Australian public remains watchful, with increasing calls for bolstered national defense, enhanced cyber protections, and greater investment in regional diplomacy.
“We need to be united and clear-eyed,” said Sydney resident and community leader Anjali Mehta. “This is not just a government issue — it’s a national issue.”
As China continues to assert its dominance across Asia, Australia finds itself on the frontline of a new geopolitical contest — one that is shaping not just regional borders, but the very principles of freedom, sovereignty, and international order.
