近年來，「銳實力」一詞成為多方矚目的焦點，甚至取代1990年代的「中國威脅論」主張，成為當前中國研究的顯學。美國《外交事務》、英國《經濟學人》等期刊先後發表文章，針對中國銳實力提出警告，而美國國會研究處、澳洲、紐西蘭、德國等國，亦相繼指謫中國透過政治獻金和提供免費旅遊等手段，誘使當地政客或官員為北京利益發聲。與西方「軟實力」對外散發吸引力的不同點在於，「銳實力」以分化、操弄、收買等手段，破壞民主國家的基本人權等價值。研究顯示，澳洲民眾認為中國已對澳洲構成威脅的比例正逐年升高。中共正透過系統性地滲透、影響及控制澳洲，破壞澳洲與美國的聯盟關係。本文將探討中國銳實力對澳洲的滲透方式、對澳洲社會所造成的影響、澳洲政府與民間如何抵抗前述威脅，以及對臺灣的啟示。

Much attention has been paid to the notion of “sharp power” in recent years. It has become, to some extent, replaced the “China threat theory” during the 1990s. Foreign Affairs and The Economist have published articles warning against China’s sharp power; the U.S. Congressional Research Service, Australia, New Zealand and Germany and other democracies have also pointed out that China has induced local politicians or officials to voice with the interests of Beijing through political donations and free travel. Different from Western “soft power” distributing its attractiveness outside, sharp power is destroying basic human rights and other democratic values by manipulating, buying and other means. This study explores the ways how China’s sharp power penetrates into Australian society and its impact, and the resistance of the Australian government and Australian people.