A rising China has developed an extensive global media campaign to achieve its aim of rejuvenation of the nation to world greatness. This has prompted pushback from the US and countries in the region, particularly Australia. This is driven primarily by irreconcilable disagreement in value priorities, basis of political power and human rights between an authoritarian China and liberal democracies.

In this paper, Asian scholar Ming-Chang Tsai, examines the extent of the pushback, which varies between nations, and perceptions of China and the US in the region. He finds that when China is compared directly to the US – despite the extent of its media campaign – its influence appears to be overrated. The author also examines methods by which nations can build resilience and provides some policy recommendations for Australia and Asia.