Even as the world has been transfixed by the vulnerabilities and the excitements of democracy in America, Beijing has underlined its own hugely contrasting pathway of power.

It has in recent days announced it will double its economy by 2035 — with Xi Jinping, seemingly, staying in control at least until then. It has trashed what was to be the world’s biggest stockmarket float for $US34bn ($47.5bn), captained by Alibaba founder Jack Ma, just two days out, underlining who is boss. And it has extended its commercial ­coercion of Australia, impacting sector after sector.

The Victorian government’s staunchly maintained adoption of the Belt and Road Initiative underlines that China’s continuing influence on Australian elites has only ever been exceeded by ­Britain’s.

Victoria’s memorandum of understanding with Beijing will remain in effect until October 8, 2023 unless terminated by three months’ written notice, which would be an awkward diplomatic step to take as lobbying of Canberra intensifies to ingratiate itself more to Beijing.

Please click here to read the full “China still in the mood to pull Australia their way” article published at The Centre for Independent Studies, written by Griffith Asia Institute Industry Fellow, Rowan Callick.