In brief
With elections nearing, the opposition in Australia seeks to regain support from Chinese Australians, a community crucial to their 2022 loss. Utilizing Chinese social media such as WeChat, candidates are increasing their outreach and engagement, though skepticism remains regarding their sincerity and past politics.
As the Australian election draws closer, the political landscape is witnessing a strategic pivot by the opposition seeking to reconnect with Chinese Australian voters, a demographic that significantly impacted the last election. The Liberal-National Coalition, which previously took a hardline stance against Chinese social media platforms for national security reasons, is now embracing them, especially WeChat, in a push to regain lost support.Data from a Lowy Institute poll indicates that approximately 60% of Chinese Australians engage with WeChat daily, underscoring its importance as a communication medium. One of the candidates making waves is Grange Chung, representing the New South Wales seat of Reid. Holding a slim margin against the incumbent Labor party, Chung invokes his family's immigrant journey and commitment to Australia in a WeChat video campaign aimed at winning over voters in Burwood, effectively Sydney's second Chinatown.Historically, Chinese Australians comprised a strong conservative voting bloc, but changes emerged during the previous election when their votes leaned toward Labor, contributing to the coalition's defeat and depleting nearly a decade of their governance. Factors influencing this shift include the perception that the Coalition mishandled rising racial tensions during the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with negative commentary from then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison about China.In response, Liberal candidates are now aggressively targeting key marginal seats with substantial Chinese populations. In a bid to resonate with this community, Chung commenced his social media endeavor in February and has actively promoted interactions with local Asian business leaders alongside celebrations of cultural events. A report from the University of Melbourne reveals a stark contrast in digital outreach, with over 220 Liberal ads on WeChat, in contrast to around 35 from Labor.Among community members, sentiment is mixed regarding the approach. Individuals such as Henry Luo have noted the extensive targeting of Chinese voters this election cycle. However, experts caution that simply appearing on these platforms may not equate to voter support. Dr. Qiuping Pan of the University of Melbourne asserts that many in the Chinese Australian community have grown more politically astute and may consider independent candidates over traditional party lines.Concerns linger regarding the community being viewed solely as a voting block, with social discourse highlighting risks of being villainized in political narratives. Sydney resident Erin Chew underscores the frustration of being reduced to mere electoral figures while facing prejudicial undertones in political rhetoric, particularly when unfounded allegations of espionage are made against members of the community involved in politics.Candidates are strategically addressing these issues on their social media platforms to build trust and visibility. In seats like Bennelong, where nearly one-third of constituents have Chinese ancestry, Liberal candidate Scott Yung utilizes bilingual content to broaden his reach, recognizing that many voters may have limited proficiency in English.As Australian-China relations evolve, community sentiments about the implications of such ties play critical roles in shaping voting decisions. Concerns regarding increased racism and the impact of anti-migrant rhetoric complicate the Coalition’s outreach, leaving many Chinese Australians questioning the alignment of their interests with the political messaging of the Liberal party.
