Media view of ‘monolithic’ China needs reality check, says analyst

Research director warns that oversimplified narrative puts one of Australia’s most important relationships at risk

Australia’s media is pursuing “a toxic narrative” that exaggerates the scale of China’s investments in areas such as mining, agriculture and education, a leading Asia business policy analyst has said.

Luke Hurst, research director with the Asialink Business consultancy, warns that an oversimplified view of China’s economic complexity is likely to jeopardise Australia’s long-term relations with its biggest trading partner.