Australia’s media coverage of China too often collapses the distance between capability and intent, turning commercial activity and military assessments into a climate of threat that weakens rather than strengthens strategic judgment.

Australia has a China issue.

But the love for that issue, at times, does not come from Beijing.

Let’s take a look at two stories that landed on Australian audiences recently, from the very opposite ends of the media landscape.

On Google, Daily Telegraph’s promotional text read: “China has been quietly taking over Australia for months and now it is ramping up.” On Facebook, a dark graphic declared: “‘Every family’: China’s brazen plan for Australia.” The imagery suggested a security briefing. The implication was unambiguous. The story, when you reached it, was about a ship of BYD cars, mostly pre-ordered by Australian families, docking at Port Melbourne.

The ABC, meanwhile, reported that the Lowy Institute had found China’s ability to hit Australia with missiles was “real and growing.” The DF-26, readers learned, could reach northern Australia from China’s artificial islands in the South China Sea. A new long-range bomber may be in development, though there is, as the report noted in passing, “no photographic evidence it even exists.”

Different outlets. Different registers.........

© Pearls and Irritations