- by Denis Doherty
- The Guardian
- Issue #2141
The opportunity to listen to Vijay Prashad is one not to be missed, and in Sydney and on Zoom he wowed comrades and friends once again. Vijay Prashad is a member of Communist Party of India (Marxist). He has worked with luminaries of the left such as Fidel Castro and Noam Chomsky. He is the author of over 20 books some in collaboration with Chomsky.
Prashad was in Sydney a short time ago to launch his book On Cuba written in collaboration with Chomsky. He offered the Sydney comrades the opportunity to hear him talk as he was available on 5 April. The topic of his address was ‘AUKUS, Trump and the Indo Pacific.’ Over 100 attended.
The occasion of Vijay’s visit was the time to recognise two great communists who had died recently. A short ceremony to honour both comrades one from Sydney and one from India. The Sydney CPA member Maria Hilario (1959-2025) and the Indian member Sitaram Yechury’s (1952-2024) who was the General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist).
Maria toiled relentlessly on behalf of Cuba over many years and likewise over Palestine. A tribute was paid to her by Comrade Connie Villano and a minute’s silence was observed in her honour. Vijay presented a book of Sitaram’s writings to the party in Sydney.
Vijay’s delivery and communication put him among the best communicators the left has. His presentation was a joy! The consensus was that there was a lot to absorb, but it was a pleasure to do it.
Prashad spent some time explaining the huge steps that China has taken technologically. In 2003, of the 64 crucial technological items necessary for a modern society, the US led in 61 and China in 3. In 2024 the US led in 7 and China was ahead in 57.
He mentioned a study of democracy done worldwide where people were surveyed for their satisfaction with the state of democracy in their country. The USA scored around 50 while the Chinese score was 80. So much for the propaganda about authoritarianism!
China is not interested in invading anyone; not Japan, not Australia, not anyone. It is interested in trading with Australia, so it will not stop ships taking Australian products going to China. Nor will it stop ships taking Chinese goods to Australia.
A progressive and prosperous rising country, China is our major trading partner at 37 per cent of our trade. Only 5 per cent of our trade goes to the US. China doesn’t need to be responded to with suspicious and submarines.
Prashad argued that the Trump foreign policy is realist to the extent that it identifies China as the real enemy not Russia. While China is not aggressive, it is a threat to US dominance of the globe as the only superpower.
Prashad pointed out that Beijing is closer to Berlin than it is to Sydney and that Australia “does not have an enemy on its doorstep.”
There is a chance to listen and watch Vijay’s talk via the party’s YouTube channel.
Vijay’s other skill is his understanding of cricket, and he pursues that interest with the same enthusiasm he does on topics of international relations.
For a Marxist look at cricket, see “Leg Glance – The Yorkers of Shamar Joseph”.
