Carrillo Gantner On Australia's Dismal Diplomacy With China And How To Fix It

Uncommon Sense

Victorian cultural leader, philanthropist, and author Carrillo Gantner AC joins Amy for an in-depth conversation about his new book, Dismal Diplomacy, Disposable Sovereignty: Our Problem With China and America (out via Monash University Publishing). Carrillo examines the recent history of Australia's poor diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China and explains what the new Labor federal government must do to repair the relationship.

Carrillo reflects on his time as Counsellor (cultural) at the Australian Embassy in Beijing in 1985-87, what he learned about Chinese culture, language, history, and politics, and how this can inform respectful and productive diplomacy.

He also discusses Australia's gradual relinquishment of sovereignty over time, with recent examples including the AUKUS alliance with the United States and United Kindom, and the controversial nuclear submarine deal.