Over the years the Centre for Independent Studies has contributed to the public debate on a range of topical foreign policy issues. The CIS advocated pragmatic and cautious foreign policy settings to help safeguard a peaceful and prosperous Asia-Pacific. Our research has extended from defence policy to global democratisation, but recently focused on China-Australia relations, the US security presence in Asia, Chinese foreign policy, and foreign aid.
While accepting the importance and value of the trade relationship with China, our new program, China and Free Societies particularly aims to raise awareness of the challenges that growing Chinese government influence poses to a free and democratic Australia.
Does economic development lead to democracy? Up until now, several East Asian states have seemed...