Foreign affairs

Summary  

This analysis reviews recent translation controversies involving PRC diplomatic statements in order to stimulate further discussion on guidelines that could help readers better appreciate the limitations and idiosyncrasies of translations pertaining to this field, and spot signs of sub-optimal translations that have could potentially inform poor or calamitous foreign policy responses.  

Key takeaways 

By Elena Collinson and Corey Lee Bell

Much scholarly and policy attention is focused on the two great powers, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the United States, and the impact of their behaviours on international relations. As a third party, Australia has huge stakes in maintaining good relations with both and promoting a stable and prosperous region more broadly. How can Canberra exercise its agency to best advance its interests as great power competition heats up?

Key takeaways

- Reports that Huawei is controlled by the government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) are inaccurate. Huawei is a private, employee-owned corporation controlled by its senior management with input from an employee representative committee.

- The Communist Party of China (CPC) branch committees in private PRC corporations, including Huawei, have largely been co-opted by corporations to serve their own commercial interests.

Note: This article appeared in The Canberra Times on August 13 2022. 

As tensions ratchet up in the Taiwan Strait, Australia's relationship with China risks being caught up in the fallout. The modest improvements in official relations since May could quickly be reversed.

By Elena Collinson and Corey Lee Bell

Note: This article appeared in China Daily on August 12 2022. 

In the aftermath of the visit to Taiwan by US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the Australia-China relationship is once again inflamed.

This follows a modest thawing in bilateral ties after the new government, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, took office in Canberra in May.

Note: This article appeared in The New Daily on August 5 2022. 

The Albanese government faced its first powder keg moment in the region this week when US congressional leader, Nancy Pelosi travelled to Taiwan.

The Australian response, led by Foreign Minister Penny Wong, could not have been more spot-on in substance and delivered with greater diplomatic skill.

By Elena Collinson

The Australia-China Relations Institute at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS:ACRI) hosted the launch of Australia’s China Odyssey (NewSouth, August 2022) by Professor James Curran, historian and Australian Financial Review columnist. 
 
Mr Dennis Richardson AC, former Secretary of the Department of Defence, Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Director-General of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and Ambassador of Australia to the United States, launched the book.