China tells Australia to accept ‘foreign influence’ to earn ‘economic affluence’

A senior Chinese diplomat has warned Australia will not “enjoy today's economic affluence, cultural diversity and intellectual richness” without “accepting some foreign influence”. Chinese Embassy Representative Wang Xining told the National Press Club of Australia that there was an “etymological” difference between influence and interference after being quizzed about whether the Belt and Road Initiative and Confucius classrooms were pushing a Chinese narrative. “It's very clear, as I said in my speech, the policy of non-interference into other country's internal affairs is a perennial policy since the start,” he said, in response to the question by Daily Telegraph political reporter Clare Armstrong. “If I may, there's - there's a strong distinction between the word interference and influence. For me, from the etymological point of view, influence carries a neutral meaning. “It means a natural flow of exchange and contact with mutual effect. I don't think China will register such quick development if we don't accept, absorb some foreign influence and I don't think Australia will enjoy today's economic affluence, cultural diversity and intellectual richness without accepting some foreign influence.” The NSW Department of Education last year found the Chinese government-funded Confucius Classroom program should be axed after a lengthy review. “A number of specific factors that could give rise to the perception that the Confucius Institute is or could be facilitating inappropriate foreign influence in the department,” the department said at the time.