China Condemns Australian Think Tank for ‘Anti-China Disinformation Campaign’
BEIJING – In a strongly worded statement, the Chinese Foreign Ministry has launched a scathing attack on the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), accusing the prominent think tank of fabricating and disseminating disinformation against China at the behest of its American funders. The Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, called on Australian society and the international community to denounce and actively resist ASPI’s alleged disinformation campaign. This latest salvo in the ongoing diplomatic tensions between China and Australia represents a significant escalation in Beijing’s rhetoric against the think tank.
The controversy erupted following social media posts by ASPI’s director, which appeared to link the organization’s output on China to US funding. According to reports, the director lamented a supposed lack of resources to produce "anti-China materials" due to cuts in U.S. funding, and urged the American government or other organizations to step in and finance a renewed "anti-China agenda." These remarks were immediately seized upon by the Chinese Foreign Ministry as evidence of ASPI’s inherent bias and its role as a mouthpiece for foreign interests.
Mao Ning categorically rejected ASPI’s credibility, asserting that the organization operates as a tool for U.S. defense and diplomatic agencies, as well as arms manufacturers, and that its research is driven by the agendas of its donors, rather than objective analysis. She accused ASPI of churning out a steady stream of fabricated reports and analyses aimed at vilifying China, alleging that the think tank’s "research findings" lack factual basis and have been repeatedly debunked. The spokesperson pointedly questioned the organization’s ethical standards, arguing that its actions violate fundamental principles of academic research.
The Ministry spokesperson characterized the ASPI director’s social media posts as a revealing glimpse into the think tank’s inner workings, exposing its alleged hypocrisy and its deliberate efforts to smear China under the guise of research. Mao Ning further underscored the gravity of ASPI’s alleged actions, framing them as a deliberate attempt to undermine China’s reputation and sow discord in international relations. She stressed the importance of recognizing ASPI’s "true nature" and urged the Australian public and the international community to join forces in countering its purported misinformation.
This latest confrontation between Beijing and ASPI reflects the broader tensions that have strained the Sino-Australian relationship in recent years. ASPI has frequently published research critical of China’s foreign policy, military activities, and human rights record, drawing sharp rebukes from the Chinese government. Beijing has consistently accused ASPI of bias and of serving as a conduit for Western propaganda, while the think tank maintains that its work is based on independent research and analysis. The controversy surrounding ASPI’s funding and its alleged anti-China agenda further complicates the already fraught bilateral relationship.
The Chinese government’s call for a concerted effort to resist ASPI’s influence represents a significant escalation in its campaign against the think tank. It signals a growing concern within Beijing over the impact of ASPI’s research and its contribution to the negative perception of China in the international community. While ASPI has defended its work, the Chinese government’s accusations are likely to further polarize opinions about the think tank and its role in the ongoing geopolitical rivalry between China and the West. The controversy also highlights the challenges faced by independent research organizations navigating the complexities of international relations in an increasingly polarized global landscape.