Australia, Citing Concerns Over China, Cracks Down on Foreign Political Influence

Australia, Citing Concerns Over China, Cracks Down on Foreign Political Influence
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on July 10, 2017. Reuters/Niklas Hallen/Pool
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SYDNEY—Australia, concerned about rising Chinese influence, will ban foreign political donations as part of a crackdown aimed at preventing external interference in domestic politics, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said on Tuesday, Dec. 5.

Turnbull told reporters in Canberra that foreign powers were making “unprecedented and increasingly sophisticated attempts to influence the political process” in Australia and the world. He cited “disturbing reports about Chinese influence.”