‘What if there was a war?’ Chinese Australians wear the scars after bitter years of hostile rhetoric

Years of diplomatic tension have left Chinese Australians feeling increasingly uncertain about their relationship to the two countries. Composite: Victoria Hart / Guardian Design/Getty images

Yun Jiang doesn’t mince her words when reflecting on how the recent decline in Australia’s relationship with China has affected Chinese Australians.

“It’s almost as if we’re already at war,” the scholar and former government policy adviser says. “During times of war, we are kind of forced to choose.”