Chinese urged to give politics a go

RYDE City councillor Justin Li, 28, believes more Australian Chinese should enter politics.

He said in the past, most first generation Chinese community leaders and politicians in Sydney were based in Chinatown and were mainly business people.

The Chinese community, however, had dispersed, settling in other parts of the city, including Hurstville, Chatswood, Ashfield, Burwood and Eastwood, he said.

“We are seeing more second generation Chinese Australians in politics. These are people who have grown up and have been educated here.”

He said Senator Penny Wong, the first cabinet minister of Malaysian Chinese descent was an example.

Cr Li will share his own experience of becoming involved in local government in a Chinese in Australian politics seminar at UTS on Wednesday, September 8.

The panel members will comprise both first and second generation Chinese Australians.

“The panel will discuss the importance of participating in politics and addressing the current low levels of representation of Chinese Australians, especially at state and federal levels,” Cr Li said.

“My view is that it’s important for there to be a greater diversity of people in government representing our very diverse Australian community.

“A lot of my work involves helping people solve their day-to-day problems. They may have issues, such as overgrown trees, uncollected rubbish, parking fines, problems with their development applications.

“While some of the issues may seem to be mundane matters, they are important to my residents and affect their everyday lives. Sometimes I’m contacted by people from outside the Ryde Council area, simply because there are no other Asian councillors in the North Shore area.

“I try to help them where I can,” he said.

Cr Li gave some tips for young Chinese people entering politics.

“It’s important to have patience and to spend time listening to the community. You need the attitude that no problem is too small for your attention,” he said.

“You also need the courage to speak out for the community on the things you believe in. At the same time, you need to be realistic and pragmatic, knowing that you will not always get 100 per cent of what you want for the community,” he said. “Finally I think it’s important to give things a go. If you don’t try, you’ll never know.”

Source