0
0
Almost half of Australians believe China will attack its shores in the near future, according to shocking new research.
Research from the Australia Institute reveals 42 per cent of Australians think China will attack Australia soon or sometime, believed to be a result stimulated by recent strongarm tactics by Beijing and anti-China rhetoric in Australia.
It comes amid tensions between the two countries following fierce trade sanctions and Chinese sanctions against Australian products.
The Institute undertook the research following fierce anti-China debate in the public sphere. It also surveyed representatives from Taiwan.
The research found fear in Australia was almost the same in Taiwan, with around 51 per cent of respondents echoing fears of an attack.
Despite Australia’s distance from China, Australians and Taiwanese have a similar threat perception, with both viewing China as an aggressive country.
Report co-author Melissa Conley Tyler from the University of Melbourne’s Asia Institute said the research stirred interesting points.
“I was astonished that a similar number of Australians think China will launch an armed attack on Australia as in Taiwan,” she said.
“It is doubtful that any military planner in the world that would agree with this assessment, which begs the question of what is stoking this fear.”
