My journey from the United States to Australia in 2013 unexpectedly revealed a disturbing global pattern—China's methodical influence extending far beyond what most people realize. Standing beneath unfamiliar southern hemisphere stars, I began noticing concerning signs that have only grown more relevant in today's geopolitical landscape.

During my time in Perth, I witnessed firsthand how China had strategically positioned itself within Australian society. From the government-controlled media landscape to the normalized surveillance in homes that nobody questioned, I observed a population unaware of their gradually eroding sovereignty. China's systematic purchase of Australian resources through million-dollar citizenship programs created dependencies so severe that when COVID disrupted supply chains, Australians couldn't even access basic necessities without Chinese imports.

The most alarming aspects of China's global strategy became evident when I observed their actions in the South China Sea—constructing artificial islands to expand territorial claims, then simply laughing off international court rulings against them. This blatant disregard for global norms continues today, alongside other concerning activities: purchasing farmland near US military installations, flooding countries with fentanyl, and developing surveillance technologies that extend their reach worldwide. These aren't random events but calculated moves in a long-term strategy that doesn't require traditional warfare to achieve dominance.

As we navigate increasingly complex global tensions, understanding China's playbook becomes essential. Their alternative approach to global influence—buying rather than invading, monitoring rather than confronting—creates vulnerabilities that most citizens never see until it's too late. Subscribe to the Surviving Changes podcast for more insights on these critical issues, and download the Backyard Gardener app to take one small step toward greater self-sufficiency in an uncertain world.

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