同路人語 581 成為多元文化的一部份 周偉文

二月初雪梨著名僑領黃向墨先生申請成為澳洲公民被拒，澳洲政府以他違反了引用去年通過的「反外國干預法」即時終止了他的永久居民簽證，引來全球關注。128個華人社團發出聯合聲明，表明支持黃向墨先生，其後一些社團表示，它們遭受澳洲情報機關查詢。澳洲因安全理由，拒絕華為競投5G網絡，中澳關係已極其緊張，現時更令人覺得澳洲政府，可能會更關注從中國來定居澳洲的華人。上週，澳洲輸往中國大連的運煤船，被限制登陸進港，事件仍未解決。這一切，都令不少人擔心，澳洲這一個社會，是否仍是歡迎接納中國移民？

是的，近二十年來，大量中國人移居澳洲，令到華裔人口大幅增加至5%，澳洲社會開始要面對如何吸納這大量的華人移民。華人數量增加，形成自己的次文化群體，並且由於華人經濟力量比起其他少數民族較大，直接衝擊著社會的發展。華人社群如何變成澳洲社會中的一部份，及如何與其他民族，共同建立多元文化的社會，已變成一個不可忽視的問題。對120萬華裔澳洲人，這問題更影響著他們在這社會中如何生活。

從過去二百多年華人移居東南亞國家的歷史看，華人往往因為在這些國家經濟地位較高，卻沒有融入當地社會，而經濟利益鮮有與當地人分享，常引起主流社會排斥。一旦政治環境改變，社會不穩定時，很多時會發生排華事件。澳洲實施民主自治，並且接納多元文化，我相信排華情況不容易發生。不過若華人社區無法融入主流社會，華人拒絕接納多元文化，則可以預計華人亦不容易為主流社會所接受。

剛過去的農曆新年，澳洲各地都有不少慶祝活動。這些慶祝活動，參加者大多是遊客及華人。我相信以後，值得主辦方去考慮，在策劃上，讓更多民族一起參與。在宣傳及推廣上，對主流社會更主動，讓華人文化能全深入在澳洲生根。而且我們也可以主動參加各類主流及其他少數民族的活動，彼此交流，建立更緊密的關係。

Be part of multiculturalism
Prominent Chinese community leader Huang Xiang Mo‘s citizenship application was rejected in early February. Even his PR status was ripped off immediately on the basis of the new sweeping foreign interference legislation. This raised concern worldwide and 128 Chinese communities issued a joint declaration in support of Huang. It was reported by some of these organisations that they were approached by Australian Security and Intelligence Office (ASIO).
Australia’s ban on Huawei’s 5G development on security reason has already created political tension with China; it becomes worse if Australia is seen to exercise control on Chinese coming to settle in Australia. There is still an unresolved issue of a coal liner banned from entering Dalian port last week. It’s worrying to see how unwelcoming is Australia’s attitude towards Chinese on board here.

Undoubtedly the influx of Chinese immigrants over the past 20 years to make up 5% of Australian population has created tension on local society. Somehow a Chinese sub culture has emerged in society and has caused much impact due to economic strength of China compared to other ethnic minority. It is important for Chinese to integrate into the mainstream in the interest of national development. This also affect the living of 1.2 million Chinese Australians.

​From the 200 years of history of Chinese immigrating to other Asian countries, we know they also could not integrate well and their wealth not duly benefited by the society and that actually caused them to be sidelined. Expelling Chinese could easily happen during political instability in particular. I believe this should not happen in democratic and multicultural Australia. But if Chinese here refuse to integrate and embrace multiculturalism it cannot be optimistic for us to be embraced too.

There have been celebrations in various Australian cities over the recent Lunar New Year period, attended mainly by tourists and Chinese. I hope in future organising bodies should encourage and promote more participation from local mainstream and multi-ethnic communities such that Chinese culture can go deeper and wider. Likewise, we Chinese should also join in more other activities hosted by the mainstream and other multi-ethnic communities in order to strengthen inter-community bonding of the society.