Not disagreeing ToO, but don't forget China is playing a long game and has been for a while. They haven't forgotten how Chinese and Asians were treated over the past decades and will always feel justified in their waving of the racist card at western nations who were more prosperous in the past but during those times were fairly racist countries.
The world dumped on China for a long time. They have long memories and won't forget. They, thanks to the rest of the world pouring money into their country, are now one of the super powers and I guess they have no qualms in doing what others did to them.
I’m well aware that they’re playing the long game and that’s were my deep distrust stems from.
They’d have viewed Australia as a young, wealthy country that’s quite naive, with short term Governments vulnerable to corruption, given the Western fixation with capitalism. The fixation with cash has weakened our position, no doubt. That needs to change. Recent steps seem to finally be addressing that.
As for racism, like yourself I have lived in Asia for a number of years previously & have visited China a couple of times.
Whilst its quite beautiful I found my Interactions with many Chinese people most unpleasant.
I must have been walking around with a dollar sign flashing from my forehead because the number of times people tried to con, thieve or rip me off made the holidays tainted. Sure theres racism in Australia towards Asians but few of them are prepared to look in the mirror.
Racism is far worse in most Asian countries from my international experiences so I just cant cop it When that card is played.