Dragon & Kangaroo: Australia and China’s Shared History from the Goldfields to the Present Day

Chinese 'presence' in Australia extends from well before the time of Captain Cook - trading with northern Australia long before Europeans came here - right through to the present day, with Chinese activities ranging from being the main customer for our iron ore, to their very extensive intelligence operations here.

Robert Macklin has traced a new history of the two nations. Macklin's engrossing narrative reaches from pre-colonial times, to John Macarthur's 'coolie' shepherds, the only Chinese bushranger, Sam Pu, and the multiple atrocities committed against the Chinese in the gold rush; through to the 20th century, where the two Australians - 'Morrison of Peking' and William Donald - played a significant role in the downfall of the last Chinese emperor and the creation of the first republic, before World War II and decades of Cold War brinkmanship; to our current economic bonds and Australia's role in the dangerous geopolitics of the South China Sea.

Robert Macklin was born in Queensland and educated at University of Queensland and The Australian National University. He has worked as a journalist at The Courier Mail, The Age and The Bulletin, and was associate editor of The Canberra Times until 2003. Robert is the author of 27 books, including Dark Paradise and Hamilton Hume,  and four works focusing on the SAS and Australia's Special Forces: SAS Sniper, Redback One, SAS Insider and Warrior Elite. He lives in Canberra.

The Canberra launch features introductory remarks by Professor Richard Rigby, Executive Director, ANU China Institute.

Copies will be available for purchase on the day with a book-signing opportunity after the launch. This event is co-hosted by Hachette Australia and the Australian Centre on China in the World.

Seating Limited, RSVP essential: publicity@hachette.com.au