This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/01/chinese-students-in-australia-speak-i-hope-our-countries-can-benefit-each-other

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Chinese students in Australia speak: 'I hope our countries can benefit each other' Chinese students in Australia speak: 'Australia embraces all cultures while losing its own'
(about 5 hours later)
They are at the centre of debates about freedom, nationalism and democracy, yet their individual voices are rarely heardThey are at the centre of debates about freedom, nationalism and democracy, yet their individual voices are rarely heard
Chinese students in Australia have been accused of trying to stifle freedom of speech on campus, of attacking pro-democracy protesters and of undermining the quality of education at our top universities which are increasingly dependent on the money they bring.Chinese students in Australia have been accused of trying to stifle freedom of speech on campus, of attacking pro-democracy protesters and of undermining the quality of education at our top universities which are increasingly dependent on the money they bring.
They stand at the centre of many of our political debates as we navigate the increasing influence of China in our region, its attempts to infiltrate our politics and institutions, and Australia’s increasing economic dependence.They stand at the centre of many of our political debates as we navigate the increasing influence of China in our region, its attempts to infiltrate our politics and institutions, and Australia’s increasing economic dependence.
In all this, the voices of individual Chinese students are rarely heard.In all this, the voices of individual Chinese students are rarely heard.
Over the past 10 weeks Guardian Australia has interviewed Chinese students studying in Australia in an attempt to get at the humanity and the diversity behind the headlines.Over the past 10 weeks Guardian Australia has interviewed Chinese students studying in Australia in an attempt to get at the humanity and the diversity behind the headlines.
Most of those we approached felt that the Australian media was hostile to them, always writing about Chinese in Australia as a threat. Getting their trust was difficult.Most of those we approached felt that the Australian media was hostile to them, always writing about Chinese in Australia as a threat. Getting their trust was difficult.
The interviews were conducted in Mandarin by a former Chinese journalism student who has now graduated, and on the understanding that the students not be identified. Several, particularly those who were critical of their home country, worried about the consequences of their names being known.The interviews were conducted in Mandarin by a former Chinese journalism student who has now graduated, and on the understanding that the students not be identified. Several, particularly those who were critical of their home country, worried about the consequences of their names being known.
International education is one of Australia’s largest export industries, coming in fourth behind coal, iron ore and the natural gas industry. But the education of young people is a more complex business than digging up and shipping out coal and ore.International education is one of Australia’s largest export industries, coming in fourth behind coal, iron ore and the natural gas industry. But the education of young people is a more complex business than digging up and shipping out coal and ore.
International students bring in an estimated $35.2bn, or 8% of total exports. It’s a massive business that is transforming our cities, with student accommodation driving much of the high-rise apartment boom, and noodle and bubble tea shops springing up in the streets around university campuses.International students bring in an estimated $35.2bn, or 8% of total exports. It’s a massive business that is transforming our cities, with student accommodation driving much of the high-rise apartment boom, and noodle and bubble tea shops springing up in the streets around university campuses.
Chinese students represent about one-third of the students who come to Australia, but bring in a larger proportion of the money because they gravitate to the more expensive, prestigious universities.Chinese students represent about one-third of the students who come to Australia, but bring in a larger proportion of the money because they gravitate to the more expensive, prestigious universities.
So what do Chinese students make of the debates that swirl around them? Does their Australian education alter their attitudes to their home country? And how do they process western media coverage of the Hong Kong protests and the anxieties about China’s rise? Are they altered by their education, or do they only seek to alter us?So what do Chinese students make of the debates that swirl around them? Does their Australian education alter their attitudes to their home country? And how do they process western media coverage of the Hong Kong protests and the anxieties about China’s rise? Are they altered by their education, or do they only seek to alter us?
A complex human picture emerged from our interviews. Some of our subjects envied and aspired to the free-thinking education available in Australia. Others thought such freedoms were appropriate for the west but not for China.A complex human picture emerged from our interviews. Some of our subjects envied and aspired to the free-thinking education available in Australia. Others thought such freedoms were appropriate for the west but not for China.
Some didn’t feel safe here.Some didn’t feel safe here.
They noticed different things: cleaner streets than at home, but also racism, and what they perceived as shallow cultural roots.They noticed different things: cleaner streets than at home, but also racism, and what they perceived as shallow cultural roots.
For some, love of country was the same as loyalty to the Chinese Communist party. Others drew a distinction between love of China and love of its government.For some, love of country was the same as loyalty to the Chinese Communist party. Others drew a distinction between love of China and love of its government.
They talked about media censorship at home, and the great firewall of China which prevents internet access to international media.They talked about media censorship at home, and the great firewall of China which prevents internet access to international media.
There were lots of different views and attitudes but a common thread was an increased national pride and confidence. This is China’s time, many said. They want to be part of a better future for China even if they don’t necessarily agree on what that might mean.There were lots of different views and attitudes but a common thread was an increased national pride and confidence. This is China’s time, many said. They want to be part of a better future for China even if they don’t necessarily agree on what that might mean.
WendyWendy
Wendy is studying a master’s of media and communications. She has worked as a teacher of Chinese language in Thailand and Britain.Wendy is studying a master’s of media and communications. She has worked as a teacher of Chinese language in Thailand and Britain.
YaoYao
Yao is a PhD student in Melbourne, researching Chinese media. She comes from Shaanxi province.Yao is a PhD student in Melbourne, researching Chinese media. She comes from Shaanxi province.
ShaoShao
Shao came to Australia one year ago. He was raised in Anhui province, and has done voluntary work in Africa and gained a degree in psychology in China. He is studying strategic communications.Shao came to Australia one year ago. He was raised in Anhui province, and has done voluntary work in Africa and gained a degree in psychology in China. He is studying strategic communications.
VenusVenus
Venus is from Xi’an, in Shaanxi province, and is studying marketing. She has joined the campus Chinese debating team because she enjoys thinking critically.Venus is from Xi’an, in Shaanxi province, and is studying marketing. She has joined the campus Chinese debating team because she enjoys thinking critically.
MiamiMiami
Miami was raised in Hebei and learned English in China. He played rap with African Americans at home, and was deeply influenced by American street culture. He is studying strategic communications.Miami was raised in Hebei and learned English in China. He played rap with African Americans at home, and was deeply influenced by American street culture. He is studying strategic communications.
EthanEthan
Ethan came to Australia on the advice of a relative after failing to get good enough marks to enter a good university in China. He studied English at school in Jiangsu province and was strongly drawn to all things foreign. He is studying accounting.Ethan came to Australia on the advice of a relative after failing to get good enough marks to enter a good university in China. He studied English at school in Jiangsu province and was strongly drawn to all things foreign. He is studying accounting.
SallySally
Sally has completed a master of journalism course in Australia and has remained here after graduating, working with Australian journalists writing about China.Sally has completed a master of journalism course in Australia and has remained here after graduating, working with Australian journalists writing about China.