This article provides a comparative analysis of foreign language policies in Asia and Australia with reference to policy contexts, motivations and processes. The analysis is specifically motivated by the recent publication of the Australia in the Asian Century White Paper that represents Australia’s renewed desire to engage with Asia by developing “Asia literacy” including the development of national proficiency in selected Asian languages. It is argued that, although foreign language policies in the two regions present interesting similarities in terms of policy contexts and goals, there is notable disconnect between Asia and Australia that potentially undermines Australian policy desire to connect with Asia. Furthermore, although languages, like other national resources, are planned to address social needs and aspirations, subjecting languages to economic imperative reflects not only misconceptions of languages but also misappropriation of their potential.

中文翻译：

---

亚洲世纪和澳大利亚的外语政策

本文参考政策背景、动机和过程，对亚洲和澳大利亚的外语政策进行了比较分析。该分析特别受到澳大利亚最近出版的《亚洲世纪》白皮书的启发，该白皮书代表了澳大利亚通过发展“亚洲素养”（包括提高国家对选定亚洲语言的熟练程度）与亚洲交往的新愿望。有人认为，尽管这两个地区的外语政策在政策背景和目标方面呈现出有趣的相似之处，但亚洲和澳大利亚之间存在明显的脱节，这可能会削弱澳大利亚与亚洲联系的政策愿望。此外，尽管语言与其他国家资源一样，都是为了满足社会需求和愿望，