Silent Invasion: China's influence in Australia

by Clive Hamilton

Respected academic Clive Hamilton realised something big was happening when, in 2016, it was revealed that wealthy Chinese businessmen linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) had become the largest donors to both major Australian political parties. Hamilton began to investigate the Chinese government's influence in Australia. What he found shocked him.

From politics to culture, real estate to agriculture, universities to unions, and even in primary schools, he uncovered compelling evidence of the CCP's infiltration of Australia. It is no exaggeration to say the CCP and Australian democracy are on a collision course, with the CCP determined to win, while Australia looks the other way.

Thoroughly researched and powerfully argued, SILENT INVASION is a sobering examination of the mounting threats to democratic freedoms Australians have for too long taken for granted. Yes, China is important to Australia's economic prosperity; but, Hamilton asks, how much is sovereignty as a nation worth?

'Anyone keen to understand how China draws other countries into its sphere of influence should start with Silent Invasion. This is an important book for the future of Australia. But tug on the threads of China's influence networks in Australia and its global network of influence operations starts to unravel.' –Professor John Fitzgerald, author of Big White Lie: Chinese Australians in White Australia

Genres: Politics, China, Nonfiction, Australia, History, Economics, Asia

376 pages, Paperback

First published February 26, 2018

About the author

Clive Hamilton AM FRSA is an Australian public intellectual and Professor of Public Ethics at the Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics and the Vice-Chancellor's Chair in Public Ethics at Charles Sturt University. He is a member of the Board of the Climate Change Authority of the Australian Government, and is the Founder and former Executive Director of The Australia Institute. He regularly appears in the Australian media and contributes to public policy debates. Hamilton was granted the award of Member of the Order of Australia on 8 June 2009 for "service to public debate and policy development, particularly in the fields of climate change, sustainability and societal trends".


(From Wikipedia.)

Reviews

[Rowan MacDonald · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a bit of controversial one. The fact publishers Allen and Unwin panicked and abandoned signed contracts for this book says a lot. Full respect for Hardie Grant for picking it up.

Clive Hamilton has meticulously researched this. It’s one of the more impressive research efforts I have encountered – a large chunk of the book contains a staggering 1,100 footnotes and references. The research is perhaps the strongest (and weakest) part of the book. It felt incredibly academic, and (as a result) somewhat dry at times. When not dry, the writing style comes across a tad aggressive, but then, these topics aren’t ones to be written about lightly.

I was already quite aware of many aspects raised in the book. Australia’s inability to stand up to foreign interference and influence is staggeringly frustrating. Hamilton delves deep into every aspect of Australian society; from our universities, to our politicians, to trade, science, espionage and everything in between. At times, some content felt over my head. It took some time for me to digest all that was being said. An overwhelming amount of information is present, along with various foreign names, institutions and abbreviations.

All too often, I would have to pause reading and do something else; such was the level of anger and frustration this book made me feel. Our politicians have a lot to answer for in regards to the vulnerable mess Australia now finds itself in. I was regularly shaking my head in disbelief or laughing out loud at the insanity of various situations.

A lot has happened since this book was published. It was fascinating to see brief mention of Wuhan, along with other things which have since come to fruition. Due to the fast-growing nature of things since Covid, some aspects of this book may soon be dated (if not already).

It has certainly made me more politically aware, and intrigued as to where money comes from in Australia. My views of Australian universities have also shifted, along with how I see certain politicians, the role of media, and organisations like the CSIRO. Funnily enough, many of the politicians reflected worst in this book have left politics entirely since publication. Other aspects I found most interesting were the Antarctic chapters, real estate, the need to diversify our economy and whenever my home state was mentioned.

It’s sad when a foreign power controls freedom of speech in another country. It’s just as sad when a country puts the dollar before everything else.

“Since the 1980s, we have set the economy before everything else and put power in the hands of those who tell us we must sacrifice everything to it, including our sovereignty as a free country.”

Hamilton presents his information and arguments quite convincingly and effective for the most part. But sometimes I felt he missed the mark altogether:

“We Australians have never had to fight to protect our democracy - not really, despite Japanese military overreach and Cold War fears of infiltration.” – think my Kokoda veteran grandfather would have a few words to say about that.

If you’re wanting to gain a better understanding of challenges facing Australia these days (or simply needing some brain exercise) then by all means give this a read. It’s probably not a book I’ll be returning to though, as it was a bit of a slog.

[Jxliu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably the best book I have ever read on contemporary China and its mission against our civilisation. Indisputably principled in political economy theories, it is unbiased, balanced, and comprehensive, demonstrating an unusual entirety of coverage of the issues Australia has to face against CCP China's aggression. It is a book of hope for those who love Australia and its values. It is also a book of fear for China and for those whom it is gracing. It may seem a tiny ripple at the moment but will grow into a tsunami in the near future--let us give it 10 years. Caution: although this book is incredibly unpedantic and exceptionally accessible, some high school level economics training is required to appreciate its wit and wisdom.

[Marie Belcredi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having met Clive Hamilton, read his books and having a great respect for The Australia Institute, I was curious why he would stick his neck out and write a book so controversial that would make him open to being labelled a racist or anti-Chinese. Hamilton is a brave person who will speak out and he has in this well researched book. There is nothing in this book that is not supported by ample evidence. I read this book with one marker in the Notes and one book mark to my current page.
Australian are shown to be naive, easily bought and have a short term outlook. The example of Andrew Robb comes up in the book. Andrew Robb was Australia's minister for Trade and Investment and was involved in negotiating trade deals with other countries including China. These deals, negotiated for Australians were, however, highly secret until they were a fait accompli . Why, I asked many times, are the people who will be affected by this, not allowed to know what is being agreed to? Funny! Less funny is that he then retired and went straight away to work for Landbridge, the current owners of the Port of Darwin. Obviously a conflict of interest issue but Robb got away with it.
Other examples of politicians being bought. Sam Dastyari comes to mind. Hamilton takes the reader through many ways that the Chinese government is infiltrating our industries, buying up assets, farming lands and spying and stealing our IP, yet the average Australian either does not know or is scared of speaking out.
Food for thought indeed and so glad Hamilton wrote this book.

[Tom Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

An alarming look at Beijing’s influence in Australia, particularly of geoeconomics, how any nation angering the Chinese government has been responded by swift and damaging sanctions. Most importantly it presents researched, factual findings, and is not a book riddled with sensationalism as I thought before reading it.

[Linda]

This is a very frustrating book. Clive Hamilton discusses some very serious issues about China's relationship with Australia, issues that need to be discussed and addressed. But he undercuts his argument with rather tiresome name-calling (anyone who would take a different view to him is a member of the "China lobby", a "dupe", an "apologist" and so on) and other tropes that reek of the harangue, including the unsourced ascription of motivation to people who do or say things with which he disagrees. He also makes the occasional but telling error of fact, judgement or interpretation due to his reliance on interpreters and informants for understanding aspects of Chinese culture, society and politics.

His interpretation of the song 'Descendants of the Dragon' (also called 'Heirs of the Dragon') by Hou Dejian is a perfect example of this; my book The Monkey and the Dragon, about Hou Dejian, tells the fascinating and complex story of this song, which is far from the ethno-nationalistic propaganda Hamilton assumes it to be, although it has certainly been used that way; he is seemingly unaware that it was sung on Tiananmen Square in 1989 by students and by Hou, who changed the line that Hamilton quotes, and banned for years. Is this important? It's a small detail, but it's one that illustrates the flaws in the book, which tends to trample on nuance in its rush to hammer home its argument.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot recommend this book enough. A damming portrait of how the Chinese government is employing soft power to erode Australia’s sovereignty and make Australia a virtual tribute state to the new modern China. It is clear the CCP is determined to move heaven and earth to do this. Methods include intimidation, buying access to politicians, silencing critics in universities and schools, and buying up real estate and agricultural resources. I ultimately worry about the future of Australia in 20 years or so.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was drawn to this book because of its author, Clive Hamilton, who had impressed me as the founder of the left-wing think tank, The Australia Institute. Knowing Hamilton's political persuasion made wanting to read this book all the more compelling. This book is no apology for China's poor record on human rights, or its positions on Taiwan and Tibet, but is an excoriating critique of this country's involvement and influence in every sector of Australian life: science and technology, defence, education, politics, and trade. He even demonstrates how China has attempted to rewrite Australia's history by inserting a Chinese presence in the First Fleet and its discovery of Australia before the Europeans, and how, to the dismay of other Asian countries, China has replaced the name of the Luna New Year with Chinese New Year in Australia. Meticulously researched and referenced as one would expect from a seasoned academic, this book is a wake-up call for all Australians to be aware of and to resist the insidious presence of China in all spheres of Australian social and political life. The only improvement to this book would have been a glossary of abbreviations of organisations eg CSSA, PLA which are all tentacles of that huge beast that is the CCP (Chinese Communist Party).

[Simon Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essential reading for any Australian wishing to be politically aware, especially considering that the Chinese Communist Party repeatedly attempted to thwart its publication for the truth contained therein. After witnessing thousands of Chinese students aggressively overtake a small protest by Tibetans in front our Canberra Parliament during the 2008 Olympic torch relay, and the complete lack of media coverage of same, Hamilton was left gobsmacked, and subsequently driven to investigate how and why such a thing could happen. Where did so many pro CCP people come from? Why were they so angry and determined? Why was there no media coverage or police response? His work systematically outlines how the CCP is using soft power, money, economic addiction and the race card to undermine our democracy and turn it to its own purposes. Recent headlines clearly serve to drive home his points. Hamilton's main aim is raising awareness. He offers no solution - that's up to us. Although he concludes that Aussie naivety and complacency are Beijing's strongest assets in their silent invasion.

[Benjamin Farr · Rating 5 out of 5]

A phenomenal, well-researched account of the rising influence of the Peoples Republic of China upon Australia. The book explores the entangled web that the Communist Party has spun across Australia's cultural institutions, former and current leaders, universities, media and the CSIRO.

Excellent book - 5 stars.

[Jonathan Mayweather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well researched and important work, but often appears to jump on the "Has a Chinese name, could work for China" angle a little too easily.
I have plenty of Chinese friends, with very Chinese names, who would never work for the Communist Party no matter their threats.
Read with a grain of salt.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Australia's vulnerabilities to chinese strategies and tactics to control institutions and individuals is described in detail. The research is extensive and subtantiates how China has become an expert at using democracies's openness for its benefit. This book was written three years ago but it remains relevant as its contents explain why the relationship with China has evolved in a negative fashion recently. China has exercised powerful influences over corporations and politicians to ensure favourable business deals, obtain control of assets and resources and even campaign for laws promulgated for its benefit such as an extradition legislation: you cannot have such a piece of legislation with a regime which has no independent tribunals and will use such a law to punish dissidents. Australian politicians have become spokepersons for the chinese governement after receiving financial and personal favours; others are manipulated by having become compromised by accepting gifts or having fallen prey to blackmail such as when being compromised by sexual favours. Australia shares a major flaw with the US as a democracy since there are few limits to financial political contributions, which means politicians have become a sought after commodity purchased by rich individuals who want to obtain decisions and legislation which suit their economic interests at the expense of ordinary citizens. China considers that no individual of chinese ancestry is exempt from a patriotic duty to the present Beijing regime; students, business people, scientists, are all closely monitored by the regime and act as a source of information to crush any form of dissidence. The book exposes China as a stanilist regime, a police state with unending propaganda and an objective to exercise control over all of its citizens in all areas of their lives. Relationships with such a regime should be subject to close monitoring in order to impose limits to their strategy of silent invasion.

[Sarah King-Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting insight into the influence that the CCP has over its citizens and how it is trying to influence the two nations that are weakened (Australia and New Zealand) by geography. It is also interesting the narrative the CCP is trying to force onto the Australian population.

There was an interesting comment made about that Chinese students take the slightest offence at something and think its an attack on the motherland and it can whip up a 'jingoistic fervour' in them. As well as how fast Chinese students can be mobilised for the state or how fast they can be punished for comments made against the CCP.

Another point is how easily Australian politicians can be quick to accept money from donors for comments and a pro-Beijing point, an interesting point to be on the lookout for in the future.

[Ryan Woo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a hair-raiser. The author did a good job investigating and reporting the infiltration from China to Australia. The original publishing company withdrew to publish this book is very telling that the influence of China is very strong. The freedom of speech in Australia is being sabotaged.

[Jaanus Tamm · Rating 5 out of 5]

It gives good overview and lots of examples how communist party runs china foreign policy and foreign investments to other countries. Handbook of behaviour what to expect in Europe soon (or already happenening). Shows how much China influence has been increased in Asia and how countries consider to hedge declining US power there.

[Stephen Torsi · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you were going to write about China's political and economic influence on another country, you would want to get your facts straight and that is what Hamilton sets out to do. Every claim is meticulously referenced so much so that the book becomes a list of well documented facts and as such is not a particularly satisfying read. What it does do well is offers a deeply unsettling and detailed train of evidence of China's 'One hundred year' strategy and Australia's part in ensuring global superiority by 2050.
What I learnt: Australia is stuck between a rock (America) and a hard place (China) being strategically important to both and could very easily get caught in the cross-fire if global and regional instability grows.

[Lorelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is a Must Read for all Australians. Well researched, well written, if this isn't a wake up call for politicians, universities, the Defence Force and media then I don't know what is.

[Liquidlasagna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a book liked by Anthony M. Schinella, who was in the news recently for being a top analyst, who weeks away from retiring, got married and then killed himself

from a news story

A senior US intelligence official who died in June committed suicide in his own backyard in front of his terrified new wife, it has been revealed... Schinella was weeks away from retiring as a national intelligence officer for military matters after a long career with the CIA, and had a newly married wife, journalist Sara Cocoran, weeks before her death... Corcoran said she was in her car in the driveway of their house, trying to get away from Schinella, when she witnessed her suicide, according to The Intercept.

In a tribute to Schinella, Corcoran wrote that he possessed “astonishing intelligence and a heroic work ethic”. Corcoran said that before his death, Schinella recommended that he read Clive Hamilton’s 2019 book Silent Invasion, which documents China’s aggressive attempts to shape Australian politics and culture. “My husband was a keen identifier and observer of the stealthy influences on current events that are under the radar of mainstream media, but warrant wide awareness,” she wrote.

[Pip Snort · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clive Hamilton has takled a sensitive subject. One that he knew would provoke a reaction, and did, when his book was published in 2018. But it is a timely word. We in Australia are naive. We assume that others have the sort of benign motives we ourselves carry. We assume that such motives are communicated in actions and words. And to some extent we are right. But the problem that Hamilton has identified is that we are not listening. Beijing is telling us how to think about China. It is wanting us to rewrite history and to sacrifice our democratic values for economic comfort. And we comfortably satiated by this offer of easting are consuming eagerly, without looking at the jaws that are closing around us.

Our politicans and business leaders are the first to stuff their noses in the trough and followingly swiftly after are our universities and the media. Soon there will be very few voices left.

Listen loudly Australians, China is telling us something, and it is a message we need to hear - wake up - if you want to remain free to think and believe as you wish, then you need to act know to cut out the influence that is clouding your mind and consuming your thoughts.

[Benjamin Stahl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Certainly quite a dry and academic read, Clive Hamilton's Silent Invasion is nevertheless a vital book, a brave publication, and highly alarming whilst refraining from any rampant anti-Chinese fear-mongering a less intelligent, more provocative right-wing book might have indulged in. I do not doubt for a second that many fools on both the Right and Left (mostly, but not exclusively, the latter) would despise this book, and would call Hamilton all the usual names they like to resort to when someone is willing to investigate tough questions. But the lack of traction this book - even now, in the drawn-out devastation of Covid-19 - is able to enjoy because it scrutinises and questions the great influence of the CCP in Australia (and the rest of the world) just demonstrates how urgent it is that we start to ask ourselves if we're really ready to give up our freedoms for the sake of relative economic comfort indebted to the rising behemoth that is China.

[Diana Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolute gobsmacker of a book and one every Australian should read. It lifts the lid on so much that has been going on with the elites of Australia - polititians, leaders of industry, the education sector and beyond. We mere mortals, the general public have been conned with slogans and moral imperatives, given snippets and edited truths about what is really going on and has been for the last 50 years! Meanwhile our country's sovereignty continues to be bartered under our noses to foreign powers with a massive hidden agenda. Written in neither left or right political speak, 'Silent Invasion' spares neither party but gives a well reseached perspective that the powerful would prefer we don't know about.

[Ian Macintosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fact-heavy book (with detailed source references), which sets out an argument for why Australia should be more vigilant with regards the potential for China to influence Australia.

It is a compelling read, though a little repetitive at times. The structure is neither chronological nor clearly aligned to chapter headings.

Recommended for those who are interested in this topic, as well as those who have not yet studied the topic.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read. Australian elites have let the country down - either greed or denial/ignorance.

[Alan Tsuei · Rating 1 out of 5]

作者開門見山就提出黨國不應一鍋燴的觀念，但怎麼書中卻總是拿中國這個詞來當中共的替罪羊？而且對自己一直想塑造的中國威脅論卻拿不出實際證據，就算真的拿的出證據，那怎麼不說服澳洲政府和中華民國建交呢？怎麼不承認中華民國代表中國呢？這樣不就絕不會把中國和中共搞混了嗎？之後任憑中共怎麼洗腦也不會讓世人誤會不是嗎？

[Lgudgiu · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a long time, many people have always viewed China as part of "economic cooperation" or business. The government and the public are optimistic about the China government's investment in Australia, but the contents are usually packaged in the economy and are not understood! These are packed with Chinese economic dividends but full of dangerous communist ideas! Because the CCP uses the economic dividend to attract Australians to the CCP’s communist socialism. However, what many Australians do not know is the CCP has used economic cooperation to gradually turn Australia into a new colony of China, even stealing Australian military secrets, infiltrating and bribing MPs, and allowing politicians to formulate harmful policies to democracy, human rights and even rule of law. Therefore, with this book, all Australians or people from other democracies should understand that today's Australia is infiltrated by the CCP's red sharp-power and think that is alert and trying the best to protect your own democracy and the rule of law!

FYI, this book is forbidden by China government.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting political science book.

I found this endlessly fascinating.

Highly recommended for my political science readers interested in world powers and influence.

Scary at times, and very parallel in strategy with things going on in Canada.

Very similar to the books Claws of the Panda: Beijing's Campaign of Influence and Intimidation in Canada and Wilful Blindness: How a Criminal Network of Narcos, Tycoons and CCP Agents Infiltrated the West

4.9/5

[Ding Lingwei · Rating 5 out of 5]

CCP uses trade as the lure to Australia, while 100% Chines corporations dont have any right or courage to violate government, and most of the big corporation have governmental background, for example, the grandfather of Meng Wanzhou is a vice-governor of Sichuan province, Xi Jinping is the brother in law of Li Shufu, the chairman of Geely. What's more, sometimes the oversea Chinese have to obey the command from Beijing such as argue for the fame of CCP, monitor the abroad Chinese. Of course, they may do it willingly if they are brainwashed to be a "little pink".

[Duncan Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very disturbing book. Australia is being duped thanks to a combination of chronic naivety and poor decisions driven by short term financial gain. As a former fan of Hawke and Keating, I was taken aback to hear of their part in enabling this, along with several other prominent public figures.

This book is almost mind blowing at times, and the long term implications are not good. Unbelievable.

[Dan Henri · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate-read/skimmed this and it sucks bad. Just absolute garbage race-essentialism and eugenics. Hamilton literally proposes banning citizenship for Chinese people based on their political beliefs. The fact that this was taken so seriously by the media and the federal government really speaks to how dog-shit they are.

[Enone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This thoroughly researched examination of China and its expansion into all areas of Australia shocked me and at times I thought I was reading a horror story. I am no longer naive and complacent. Yes, our economic prosperity is important, but at what cost? Looking forward to Hamilton's new book, Hidden Hand: exposing how the CCP is reshaping the world.

[PeterBlackCoach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good insight into how China's soft power and diplomacy is being deployed into Australian institutions and power structures. A controversial book as some publishers refused to publish it which was why it was interesting to read.