China warns Australia on Hong Kong students enrolling in Australia, it might stain the two countries’ research partnership.
A high volume of Hong Kong students enrolling in Australia
Tension in Hong Kong and the lack of freedom of speech pushes residents to seek refuge in other countries to escape from China’s grip.
With Australia’s loose restriction in allowing international students inside the country, a huge volume of Hong Kong students are expected to flood the country this coming school year.
However, Hong Kong students enrolling in Australia will definitely stain the good relationship between China and Australian universities when it comes to research fundings.
The China-Australia partnership has been a very firm investment that helped a lot of Australian universities to thrive and researches that benefited the Chinese market.
Now, with issues concerning Hong Kong, China fears that Hong Kong students enrolling in Australia will take advantage of this opportunity to backlash China using the freedom of speech they enjoy in Australia.
Discreetly, China has already tapped its partner universities in Australia. If things go out of hand, the People’s Republic of China will withdraw its high paying research partnership with Australian universities. In addition, China might restrict its international students from attending schools and universities in Australia.
No Protest to be allowed in campuses
To reassure China’s interest will not be spoiled, administrators from various Australian universities have decided that no protests should be allowed inside campuses. Students will not be allowed to indulge in political protests involving countries outside Australia.
Australian universities must uphold peace and order within its campuses, despite being questioned for expressing the freedom of speech. But the ruling stands, and this should somehow let international students think about using Australia’s loose visas policies to be an avenue to voice out political protests related to their countries of origin.