A major Canberra-based think tank has paused its China-focused research after losing U.S. funding—revealing what critics call a 'pay-to-play' relationship with Washington. The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), long accused of pushing anti-Beijing narratives, now faces scrutiny as its financial ties unravel online. 🔍
ASPI’s head of China research openly urged 'other governments' to fill the funding gap, sparking viral debates about think tank independence. 🌏'No pay, no play' trends globally as netizens mock the irony: How 'independent' is research funded by foreign interests?
Memes and commentary liken the saga to real-life political drama, with one user joking: When the sugar daddy cuts allowance, the script falls apart. 🍿 The controversy underscores growing skepticism about geopolitical influence campaigns—and who’s really pulling the strings.
What’s next for ASPI? Stay tuned as this story evolves. 📢
