Under the radar, China is quietly expanding its youth exchange programs to other countries beyond Australia, but Australia remains a key target. This plan fits neatly into President Xi Jinping’s other broader efforts to change the way the world thinks about China. By fostering connections through youth engagement, China seeks to promote a more favorable image and counteract negative narratives on the global stage.
Most promisingly, in late 2023, China joined with the United States to create the Young Envoys Scholarship (Y-E-S) program. Their aim is to send 50,000 young Americans to China over the next five years. Though this program has received pages of headlines and reports, China’s strategy toward Australia is not as codified. Beijing has not yet announced a quota for the number of youth participants from Australia. This demonstrates a nimbleness of approach geared towards connecting with young Australians on their own terms.
Incentives for Australian Youth
It should be a huge concern to the Chinese government, which is actively working to attract more young Australians to its shores. Now, China is seeking to further clarify its stormy intentions. It would pay for everything that the participants need during the exchange programs – flights, hotels, meals and excursions. This free package of support removes financial barriers for thousands of young Australians who would otherwise miss out on these unique opportunities.
Ever since that fateful meeting in Bali in 2022, the relationship between China and Australia has flourished. Xi Jinping and new Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese laid the groundwork for these advances. We viewed this meeting as a complete turnaround in our bilateral partnership. It created space for a new wave of cooperation across multiple arenas, such as dynamic youth exchanges. As a result of that meeting, Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Albanese reached an agreement. They committed to increasing travel for young Australians to China, underlining the important contribution that youth diplomacy can make to their joint endeavors.
While these are clear improvements, it still remains a challenge for China to gauge the interests and desires of Western youth. Despite its success as a culinary and hospitality powerhouse, there still seems to be a disconnect between reaching out to OG culture’s youth with more culturally relevant content. Understood this way, China’s goal is to make itself more attractive through substantive relationships built on the kind of deep engagement that looks like real connection.
A Strategy for Rebranding
China’s focus on youth exchange programs forms part of a broader strategy to humanize its image and cultivate goodwill internationally. By encouraging young people to experience Chinese culture firsthand, the government hopes to counter negative stereotypes and foster a more nuanced understanding of its society.
This strategy is not entirely new. Therefore, for years now, China has been conducting youth diplomacy to cement ties and build its soft power. Historically, these exchanges have very much facilitated the opportunity for participants to fully dive into Chinese life in a way that builds valuable cross-cultural understanding. According to press accounts, participants widely experience a introduced/presented version of reality that avoids politically charged topics. It’s a problematic, yet scripted, depiction that begs the question of who is actually walking away with real experience.
The overarching goal behind these initiatives is clear: China wants to be perceived as more open, modern, and less threatening on the global stage. Through this big push on youth engagement, the Chinese government is hoping to counteract some of the narratives that have portrayed them in a negative light.
The Future of China-Australia Relations
Now, as China tries to strengthen its soft power by expanding its influence through youth exchange programs, the future of Australia-China relations seems more connected than ever. The Australian government has been deeply committed to building relationships with China. This new effort is just one piece of a larger strategy focused on increasing diplomatic relations and economic partnerships.
Australia’s youth are set to be key players in this new partnership. With opportunities for cultural exchange and personal growth through programs like Y-E-S, young Australians can gain valuable insights into Chinese society. These experiences may help bridge cultural divides and create lasting connections between the two nations.
