In brief
The Australian Liberal-National coalition is focusing on engaging Chinese Australian voters through popular platforms like WeChat and RedNote as they seek to recover from losses in the previous election. Candidates from the coalition have increased their presence on these apps, targeting key constituencies with significant Chinese populations, while addressing concerns like racism and international relations with China, aiming to reverse a trend of disillusionment among Chinese Australians.
As Australia approaches its upcoming elections, opposition candidates are making a concerted effort to engage a vital voting bloc that shifted away from the conservative Liberal-National coalition in the last election cycle—Chinese Australian voters. To connect with this demographic, the coalition is now embracing the very Chinese social media platforms they once considered banning due to national security concerns, including WeChat and RedNote.A recent Lowy Institute poll indicated that nearly 60% of Chinese Australians access WeChat daily. Grange Chung, a candidate for New South Wales' Reid seat held by the left-leaning Labor party, utilized WeChat to share his personal journey of gratitude towards Australia, emphasizing his commitment to the community. Chung's constituency, particularly the suburb of Burwood—often dubbed Sydney’s second Chinatown—boasts a substantial Chinese population, which forms a critical part of the voter base.Despite constituting around 5.5% of Australia’s total population, Chinese Australians played a significant role in the Labor party's victory in 2022, marking the end of nearly a decade of rule by the Liberal-National coalition. Many analysts have suggested that factors like the Coalition's perceived mishandling of racial tensions during the pandemic and former Prime Minister Scott Morrison's anti-China sentiments contributed to this shift.As election polling trends show the Liberal party's chances diminishing, candidates are intensifying their outreach targeted at marginal seats with heavy Chinese demographics. Grange Chung, who began posting on WeChat this February, emphasizes community engagement through interviews with local Asian business owners and Lunar New Year greetings. His strategic outreach is part of a broader trend, as research indicates over 220 Liberal ads on WeChat since the start of the year, framing their platforms as essential venues for community interactions.While Western political figures increasingly adapt their strategies in this digital arena, visibility does not guarantee electoral success, according to university experts. The Chinese Australian electorate is reported to be becoming increasingly aware of their political weight, prompting some voters to consider independent candidates advocating for local issues without stringent party lines.Frustrations have arisen within the community, as some feel reduced to mere voters rather than respected constituents. Sydney resident Erin Chew has expressed concern, citing instances of suspicion towards Chinese Australians by politicians for community involvement. These sentiments are echoed by others worried that politicians are using the community's challenges for political gain, rather than genuinely addressing their needs.Candidates are also addressing language barriers, evident in their targeted messaging. In New South Wales' Bennelong seat, Liberal contender Scott Yung shares posts in Mandarin to foster deeper connections with voters, particularly as official government data highlights low English proficiency among Mandarin and Cantonese speakers in the area.As the Liberal campaign navigates the sensitive terrain of international relations and local sentiment, concerns regarding migration and anti-immigrant rhetoric by key coalition figures pose added challenges. With the election looming, both the opposition and the Chinese Australian community continue to assess strategies that will shape the electorate's response to this pivotal moment.
