The book details systematic attempts by the government of the People's Republic of China to expand its influence and espionage network in Australia.

[5] The Korean translation was published by Sejong Books as China's Quiet Invasion (중국의 조용한 침공; ISBN 978-89-8407-954-0) on 4 June 2021.

[7] In response, Hamilton rejected Soutphommasane's accusations of Sinophobia, by noting that the book was researched by Chinese-Australian researcher Alex Joske, endorsed by Sinologist John Fitzgerald and Chinese dissident groups, and argued that accusations of racism and Sinophobia take advantage of Australia's social anxieties over its past and play into the agenda of the Chinese Communist Party.

Brophy also criticized Hamilton's accusations of Chinese threats to Australian intellectual freedom through the promotion of self-policing and political interference, and pointed out domestic factors such as the decrease in government funding of China research faculties, such the Australian National University's Asian studies courses, having a greater detrimental effect.

Brophy concluded that Hamilton's arguments are "xenophobic" and "reflect an "unwillingness to confront our own failings and shift the blame onto China", and that while Hamilton raises some legitimate concerns such as foreign political interests interfering in Australia, they need to be approached through increased academic funding and transparency in political lobbying, rather than singling out a particular country.