A discussion has emerged regarding the impact of Chinese social media and migration on Australia's upcoming elections. As the election nears, Australian opposition candidates aim to attract Chinese Australian voters, a group that previously supported the Liberal-National coalition.
• Chinese Social Media Usage: A significant majority (nearly 60%) of Chinese Australians use platforms like WeChat daily, according to a 2022 poll.
• Influence on Politics: Chinese Australians, making up about 5. 5% of the population, played a crucial role in the Labor party's victory in 2022, ending nearly ten years of conservative governance.
• Targeted Campaigning: Candidates are using WeChat and RedNote, both controlled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), to reach these voters. They are employing advertisements on popular accounts and collaborating with Chinese celebrities.
• Concerns Over Control: The fact that these platforms are CCP-controlled raises concerns about the algorithms favoring specific parties and candidates, potentially allowing Beijing to influence election outcomes in Australia.
• Global Context: This situation mirrors similar concerns in Canada, raising questions about how much influence China has over elections in states like California and New York and its potential to sway U. S. elections through platforms like TikTok.
The strategic outreach to Chinese Australians by political candidates highlights the growing influence of Chinese social media on elections. There is a significant concern about the implications for democracy if foreign powers can sway electoral outcomes through digital platforms.
https://www.frontpagemag.com/china-now-controls-australias-elections/
No comments:
Post a Comment