Differences in Multiculturalism: Australia and China

This article discusses the differences in multiculturalism between Australia and China. It explores the history, policies, and cultural practices of both countries. While Australia has become a successful promoter of multiculturalism, China has failed to recognize its importance. The article concludes by suggesting that China should follow the footsteps of Australia and become a multicultural superpower.

Running head: MULTICULTURAL DIFFERENCES
Differences in Multiculturalism
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author notes:

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From ancient periods, people with varied cultural backgrounds have co-existed in the
same place (Burbules 2013). People from different countries and ethnic backgrounds have lived
harmoniously in the past. Furthermore, the culmination of various cultures and ethnicities have
shaped and moulded the way different cultures react to the existence at present. Every culture has
a unique languages, values and etiquettes (Hurn and Tomalin 2013). To exist in harmony, it is
necessary for people in culturally diverse countries to respect each other’s view, opinions and
perception about things. Multiculturalism is a phenomenon in which people belonging to diverse
ethnic, cultural and social backgrounds are treated equally (Taylor 2016). It is said
multiculturalism ensures people of any and every cultural background have equal rights and are
treated as equals in the eyes of each individuals of the society and in the eye of the law. The term
acknowledges the recognition that each community contributes to the culture of a said country. It
specially calls for protection of the cultures that are considered to be minorities in a locality,
society or country (Malloy 2014). It becomes possible for a sect to be better heard if it include
ideas, views and contribution from individuals of various cultures.
Countries around the world have slipped up and failed to function as a single piece. The
great Ottoman, Roman and Mughal empires have split up and it is the exact opposite when it
comes to China (White 2016). China has been able to remain as one big country for centuries and
the credit mainly goes to the Han dynasty (De Crespigny 2017). About 92 percent of the Chinese
community belong to the Han dynasty. It is believed by analysts that the reason behind the
existence of China was possible only due to the presence of the Han dynasty. This helped the
Chinese form a unity which has become their national identity. Although the Chinese claim that
their country is unified there exists a huge gap between the majority and the minority. The

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minorities in China are comprised of Uighurs and Tibetans (Wu and Song 2014). They
collectively form approximately three times the population of Canada. The estimated population
of the Uighurs and Tibetans are said to be around one hundred and twelve million. China is a
diverse nation with fifty six recognized ethnic groups although it is undeniable that the
phenomenon of multiculturalism does not exist in China. Minorities face discrimination in
schools and colleges and it was reported that the students belonging to the minority sections are
subject to corporal punishment. Discrimination and racism are widely existent in china and is the
reason behind the multicultural incompetency of the Chinese. The majority of the population that
is the Hans, expect that the minorities will comply with their cultural norms and ethics and think
of it as multiculturalism although fail to realize that it is nothing near to the concept of the
cultural phenomenon. The minorities are expected to disengage from their cultural views and
values and that is what is prevalent as minorities are bound to comply by their terms in order to
make better livelihoods for themselves. People of darker skin are considered as inferiors in China
(Law 2016).
Issues such as migration, language and equal opportunity are the areas of main concern
when it comes to hindrance of multiculturalism in China. Although these issues were discussed
when the policies regarding nationality of minorities where addressed back during the 1990s
when the Chinese government took various initiatives to cater to the need of diverse groups and
minorities (Banks 2015). This however has only remained as a hypothesis and is presently
viewed as a paradoxical situation. The initiatives were aimed at achieving economic
development on a large scale. This initiative was undertaken in order to reduce the grievances of
the people belonging to the minor and neglected communities. The economic development
required that each individual whether minority or general should be educated in a formal

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education structure and that they must possess effective and necessary technical competency and
Mandarin speaking ability. This was not carried out since the Chinese practices still had
existence of cultural and social discrimination. Schools and college managements had negative
attitudes towards the minorities and presented various bars to entry which made it impossible for
the minorities to gain formal education. This hindered the ability of the minorities to secure good
jobs which led them to continuously be treated as inferiors and thus the idea of Multiculturalism
does not is irrelevant when it comes to the country.
Multiculturalism has become a successful phenomenon in Australia (Ozdowski 2013).
The country boasts a huge collection of people from diverse ethnic and social groups. With
people emigrating from various countries, Australia has become a hub for cultural diversity.
Equality of each culture before the jurisdiction and equal treatment of each individual is a well-
earned achievement for the nation. The Australians are on the verge of becoming a nation that is
ahead of the rest, the sole reason of which is its cultural diversity. Each of the cultures are
incorporated in such a way that the community as a whole is able to capitalise on the varied
expertise of each culture. The diverse cultural practices, dressing patterns, lifestyle and food
habits have given the Australian community increased number of opportunities to choose from
and add to their repertoire. The Latest census informed that more than quart percentage of
Australian were not born in Australia, with one-fifth of them having one of the parents born
outside Australia. European immigrants where the first ones to settle in Australia and other
nations have followed ever since. Australia has an open multicultural atmosphere now although
situations were not always the same. From the early years of the nineteenth century to mid
twentieth century, there existed a policy in Australia which was known as the White Australia
Policy (Dragojlovic 2015). This term became prevalent after the Immigration Restriction Act

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1901 (Bashford 2014). The regulation only allowed European migrators to reside within the
country’s geographical boundary. This also ensured that people from countries apart from
Europe could visit Australia but could not become permanent dweller within the nation. To meet
the labour shortages in the act incorporated that only European citizens such as people form the
United Kingdom, Greece, Holland, Germany and Italy could fulfil the requirements for the
labour shortages. This view has been opined as racist by experts and led to creation of turmoil
filled situations in the country. However, the World War II changed how Australians viewed the
mattered it was eradicated since then. Even though it was eradicated. The early periods of
abolition was characterised by new aspirant dweller having to pay a price for residing in
Australia. The government said that the new members that is the immigrants, would have to pay
a compensation in form of tax to enter and stay in Australia.
Modern Australian culture however, has come a long way from that point of cultural
discrimination. Australia has become a centre for multicultural integration (Turner, Fiske and
Hodge 2016). The county has become successful in creating a global image of diversity and
acceptance. To the amusement of people around the world, that case is no longer existent since
the need to recognize each culture and the skill they possessed and that could be easily possessed
was correctly adjudged by the policy makers of Australia. One could argue otherwise and state,
that there were some dire conspiracies behind the creation of such a barrier free atmosphere.
Australia being the largest country of the world, has considerable number of people who occupy
the country. With a high collection of diverse people, the prevalent political parties realised that,
the immigrants make up majority of the voters and they could capitalise on the votes that they
would caste. Thus this gave rise to view involving multiculturalism and inter cultural co-
existence.

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It is thus evident from the above discussion that there exists a huge difference regarding
how China and Australia view multiculturalism. The Australian and Chinese have both faced
turmoil regarding the term. The Chinese culture considers no culture other than their own.
Although they have made amends to check the requirements of the minorities, their social and
judicial system is characterised by views that suppress the minorities such as the Tibetans. On
the hands Australia always has been a country that encouraged inter cultural integration or
multiculturalism. Even though they this image was threatened in by the act as discussed above.
In the modern time, Australia is a country that to a greater extent is a more culturally open
country if compared to China as country for inter cultural engagement. Both the countries are
super powers in their own right it. It can however be agreed that the open and friendly nature of
Australian make them a country that has been successful in achieving the phenomenon called
multiculturalism. China have stuck their roots and recent issues have brought the issue of a
racism to the Chinese community. The country has been considered to be strict and impartial
when it comes to commuting with cultures other than theirs (Jackson and Wang 2013). Australia
has natives who belong to various racial and ethnic groups. Their acceptance in the Chinese
community is highly questionable since it is known by now that the Chinese are indifferently
strict towards toleration and acceptance of other cultures which is evident from the fact that they
abide not to also accept their co-citizens (the Tibetans, Xingjian and Uighurs) to be to be equals.
The situation would be completely different in Australia where people can live harmoniously and
there would be no discrimination that a Chinese could face down under and is has been proven
since the Australian community is composed of huge numbers of people from China (Cooke,
Zhang and Wang).

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Although there lies huge difference in Australian and Chinese views towards
multiculturalism, the Australian community ensures that every citizen is treated equally in the
law and the community as a whole. The Chinese have been staying in Australia and Australians
are residing in China which shows development of intercultural communication. The ancient
beliefs and views of the Chinese have shaped how they have been overlooking the issue of the
importance of multiculturalism although one must be sure that the rising discussions about
multiculturalism are shaping how the youth reacts and change to the growing needs for a more
open, interdependent and free culture (Redding 2013). By abolishing the White Immigrant Policy
enforced by the Immigration Restriction Act, the Australians have set an example for the rest of
the world. They are being able to use the expertise of people, belonging to different sects of their
diverse cultural community. Australia is benefiting from their diverse work force and can hope
experience further dividends in the long run. Thus it can be concluded that Australia have been
able to establish themselves as successful promoters of multiculturalism. China has been a
superpower for a long time although they failed to recognise the importance of multiculturalism.
It is time that they follow he footsteps of the nation of Australia and become a multicultural
Super Power.

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