People watch a dance performance to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year at the Federation Square in Melbourne, Australia, on January 22, 2023. Photo: VCG

Chinese social media has emerged as a new arena for some Australian politicians to gain more popularity in the ongoing council elections in Melbourne.

After Victorian Electoral Commission sending people who are enrolled to vote a ballot pack in early October, voters are expected to post back their completed ballot papers by October 25, according to Melbourne’s government website. 

Multiple mayoral candidates are going all out to win the support of the significant Chinese population by distributing bilingual campaign flyers in both Chinese and English, actively participating in various Chinese community events and even leveraging Chinese social media platforms to share their campaign visions and connect with the electorate.

Enthusiastic interaction  

Unlike in state and federal elections, many non-Australian citizens who meet certain requirements are eligible to vote in the Melbourne City Council elections. The electorate includes international students, anyone on a working holiday visa, those who own a property in the city and live in it, and business owners, according to Australian media outlet ABC News. 

To connect with one of the city’s most significant demographic groups, current Lord Mayor Nick Reece and challenger Arron Wood have both opened accounts on Little Red Book, or Xiaohongshu, a popular Chinese social media platform.

In an exclusive interview with the Global Times, Reece explained his motivation for joining Xiaohongshu. “As Lord Mayor of Melbourne, it is vital to connect with all communities in the city, and the Chinese community is a significant part of Melbourne’s cultural and social fabric,” he stated. 

Since opening his account, Reece has shared dozens of videos and posts, amassing a following of over ten thousand users who expressed their eager to engage with his vision for the city. Some of his posts feature recommendations for local food, restaurants, and a great spot to play basketball in Melbourne.

Reece shared with the Global Times a touching moment, explaining how a Chinese student expressed gratitude for the support provided to international students studying in Melbourne during difficult times. 

On the other hand, Wood has also made his marks on Xiaohongshu, expressing his belief that Melbourne has lost its way under the current administration. 

“Melbourne is a great city, but there’s no doubt our city has gone backwards over the past four years, under the leadership of Reece... It’s clear we need new leadership... It’s time for action, not more empty promises,” Wood said in an exclusive reply to the Global Times.

“The success of Melbourne depends on the strength of its diverse communities, and the Chinese community has contributed so much to Melbourne over so many years... Whether it’s the historic Chinatown or the many Chinese businesses that boost our local economy, their influence is felt everywhere,” he said.

Both candidates have laid out ambitious plans for their potential terms in office, particularly concerning the Chinese community. Reece aims to enhance language accessibility in public services, support Chinese businesses and strengthen cultural exchange programs. He said he is particularly proud to have the oldest Chinatown in the city and is committed to ensuring it remains a bustling precinct just as it was 170 years ago. Also, he promised to ensure strong Chinese Australian voices to be part of his council team.

Wood has also introduced initiatives including tackling the cost-of-living crisis, enhancing city safety and cleanliness, and promoting cultural diversity. Wood vows to expand the free tram zone to make transportation more affordable for all, and provide greater support to small business owners, many of whom are vital to the economic and cultural fabric of Melbourne’s Chinese community. 

Their presence on the Chinese social media has gained floods of enthusiastic feedback from Chinese netizens. A Xiaohongshu user based in Melbourne shared flyers of multiple candidates that are printed in Chinese, and said the Chinese community is becoming stronger. 

Many Xiaohongshu users also left suggestions regarding how to build a better Melbourne. For example, an international student who is about to complete her undergraduate studies in Melbourne highlighted safety concerns, and hopes that more security measures in the city will be implemented. 

Vital Chinese community

With a rich tapestry of culture and a growing population, Chinese voters represent a vital demographic in the city’s electoral landscape. 

Data by the State Government of Victoria shows that the Chinese community in Victoria is the second largest in Australia. There are 427,811 people in Victoria who have Chinese heritage, of which 171,447 were born in China. Among them, Melbourne, the capital of Victoria, has the third largest Chinese community, with 34,469 people.

With the recent improvement in China-Australia relations, many Australian politicians are eager to cultivate a positive image among the Chinese populace in and outside Australia, said Chen Hong, executive director of Asia Pacific Studies Center at East China Normal University.

It is encouraging to see more politicians in Australia adopting a rational and pragmatic approach to their exchanges with China, Chen said. “This stands in stark contrast to anti-China political figures in certain countries that frequently smear Chinese social media platforms,” he said. 

He believes the ongoing people-to-people exchanges can significantly contribute to the overall warming and improvement of relations between the two countries.