News Club Interview - Our only journalist in China

The only Australian journalist in China…

China is a constant in our news cycle. Constant. From trade wars to territorial disputes to political tit-for-tat to human rights. It’s also the second largest country in the world, with 1.4 billion people, only pipped at the post by India.

So, the fact that we - Australia - haven't had a single journalist based in China for nearly 4 years is something. As is the fact that Will Glasgow, North Asia correspondent for The Australian, was granted a visa this year to return.

I had so many questions. Firstly, what is it like to go back, especially in the wake of COVID?

In our conversation, Will talks to me about his experience of returning. And while I, of course, understand that the job would be vastly different under a communist regime and specifically a government led by Xi Jinping - hearing him describe the considerations he must make for his own safety, and even more so for the safety of his sources, presents a striking contrast to journalism as we know it.

Will also talks to me about his work as a reporter based in Taiwan. It is, after all, where he spent the last 4 years. He describes the resilient spirit of the Taiwanese people who live under enduring intimidation from China. And we touch on Hong Kong, where the mood has changed since the introduction of a national security law that effectively means any criticism of China could be deemed a crime.

Throughout this interview, Will laughs easily. Perhaps his way of managing the intensity of being a journalist in a nation that is so perplexing, impenetrable, and yes, at times, even comical. But when I ask him about Cheng Lei - the Chinese-Australian journalist detained in China for doing her job - Will becomes quite serious. Serious about just how lucky we are to live in Australia.

Listen to the full episode here, or scroll down for 3 highlights from our chat.

P.S. Here is Will Glasgow’s report upon returning to China (paywall).

Highlight #1: On the different styles of government

Will Glasgow: We have completely different styles of government. If you’re living in Australia in 2024, you’re a pretty lucky person. And if you’re living in a functioning liberal democracy, with rule of law, the right to vote, and a free media, you’re a very, very lucky person. If you look around the world, there aren’t too many countries where you could say that.

As Penny Wong says, China’s going to keep being China. I mean, my job and the Australian government’s job isn’t to change China. But we should be aware of where we are, the freedoms we have, and the kind of life we can live in Australia.

Highlight #2: On how China views Australia

Will Glasgow: You can speak to people who are very well-informed and others who are less so, but one thing’s for sure - America is an obsession in China. I mean, I'm a New Zealand-Australian dual citizen, right? And I'm constantly staggered by how, when people in China talk - especially the government, but also just regular people - they often talk as if there’s only China and America. Or if they talk about other countries, it's just where they fit within China and America.

Australia is reduced to a US ally. All autonomy is taken away, and Australia's just either too stupid to realise that it's been wound up and instructed to do things by America, or it's a willing accomplice for America. But there's almost never any acknowledgement that Australia is its own country and one of many in the world, and we've got our own ideas, and there's a big world out there.

Highlight #3: On Taiwan and China

Will Glasgow: Taiwan has never been formally declared a separate state, and China sees it as unresolved business from the civil war. They've tolerated this ambiguity. If Taiwan ever tried to end that ambiguity while the Chinese Communist Party maintains its current stance, it would likely lead to war—but that's no surprise to anyone in Taiwan. No political party in Taiwan campaigns on formally declaring independence. This isn’t because they don’t feel independent but because they know the Chinese Government has made it very clear what the consequences would be

Show us some love…

If you’ve been enjoying News Club and our interview series, the best way you can support us is by sharing us with your friends/family/colleagues/bus driver. Share your unique link below, and we’ll know you sent them our way. Merci buckets.

Copy and paste this link and share it around:

https://newsclub.thesquiz.com.au/subscribe?ref=PLACEHOLDER