This essay analyses the Australian-China bilateral relationship since 1945 and in particular its political significance to Australia. Many global factors have influenced this relationship, including the advent of the Cold War, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the collapse of the Soviet bloc European nations. In addition, internal political changes in Australia and China have both affected and been affected by the global changes. It will be analysed that Australia’s bilateral relationship with China has always had a sharp political edge but that approaching the new millenium economics and trade considerations are shaping Australias and for that matter Chinese politics.
A central feature of the Government's approach to foreign and
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The Fraser government continued this policy direction with China, which was strengthened even further during the Hawke and Keating years (1983-96). The Howard government has continued this policy and has chosen to place economic and trade considerations above ideology. Pursuit of a strong bilateral relationship with China by Australian Labor governments might have been predicted on political grounds but, increasingly, as the world moves to embrace a global village profile governments of all political persuasion’s are shaping the foreign policies on the basis of national economic self interest.
In handling bilateral relationships, the Government often claims to have adopted an integrated approach taking into account the totality of Australian interests. But, a closer analyses of this claim reveals it would be almost impossible to meet the totality of Australia’s interests in any bilateral relationship and this is especially true of China which has such a different socio-political system. This close relationship continues to raise political questions for Australia to grapple with, such as her relations with Taiwan, Tibet and Chinese human rights issues. In some instances Australias interests will be confined mainly to trade and investment; in the more substantial bilateral relationships, the Government will implement comprehensive strategies
Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War was a result of a combined fear of communism and the fall of freedom from danger in Australian democracy and society. The growing web of communism saw the fall of many countries closing in on Australia and New Zealand, and it was believed Robert Menzies’ government that they would find communism at Australia’s shores.
After World War II in the 20th century, the United States and the Soviet Union were the new “Superpowers”. These two major nations had two conflicting political ideologies which were stated as Capitalism and Communism, and this had Australia right in the middle of the story. Since Australia has very strong ties with the US, making it even stronger after involving in the Vietnam War and also grew strong with the ‘SEATO’ and ‘ANZUS’ with the fear of the so called ‘domino theory’ and the foreign policies which including the Forward Defence Policy. This, however, allowed Australia to gain a closer chance to go to war in Vietnam.
Australia’s trading links with the Asia-Pacific Region holds geopolitical influences with other countries in the Asia-Pacific. By being a founding member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, Australia has set the standards for trading agreements. For example; China and Hong Kong decided to join APEC two years after its foundation after seeing the success and future potential. Many countries like India, Pakistan, Cambodia, Columbia and Mongolia have pledged their interest in joining and sharing in APEC’s
Since the fall of communism in Russia and the end of the Cold War, China started to rise as a significant power and to this day holds the title as the world’s fastest growing economy. With that advancement, China has become an influential global player in international politics and the economy; moreover, causing many countries, developed and developing, to raise a serious level of concern and interest to the rapid development of China. In particular, Canada is now back to establishing to be on better terms with China, after Harper’s playing hard to get approach, we must work even harder in becoming a part of China’s inner circle of trade partners. Moreover, Mr. Harper at first tried an activist approach, criticizing and accusing China of poor
Australia and Japan’s relationship has strengthened greatly over the last few decades. Japan has emerged from an enemy at the end of world war two to one of Australia’s most important allies today. The relationship between the two focuses on a number of areas, in particular trade, as Japan’s economy is very prosperous to Australia. Maintaining such a relationship has not always been straightforward, often presenting difficulties where the countries stray in values and opinions. Diplomats from both countries have worked hard to keep this positive relationship working. Diplomacy has allowed for Japan and Australia to receive benefits from one another while preventing major problems from arising. If troubles have developed, they have been dealt with swiftly in fear they could cause damage to the Australia-Japan relationship. Some areas the diplomatic relationship covers are the economical, cultural, security and environmental relations. Australian diplomacy has contributed to strengthening the international relationship with Japan.
Historically, Australia’s regional and global interests were tied to Great Britain, particularly in the first 150 years since white settlement. Post Second World War, however, Australia became less reliant on its ties with the Commonwealth and foreign policy focused on establishing greater links with the US and its closest neighbours in South East Asia. While successive Australian governments have recognized the need for independence, its search for regional and even global influence still requires it to create new linkages and multi-national groupings within which Australia’s, economic, cultural or geopolitical interests need to be managed and promoted. Australia’s defence capabilities allow it to forge great relationships with other nations
The paradigm shift of Australian foreign policy from reliance on security through ‘‘great and powerful friends’’ towards the formation and strengthening of diplomatic and cultural relations with the Asia-Pacific region began arguably under the Whitlam government and has since become the predominant focus of foreign policy for both major parties. As a result, there exists a latent similarity in the foreign policy of successive Australian governments across the last 40 years that becomes more pronounced when comparing them within their respective partisan delineations. Thus, the apparent similarity in the foreign policy of the Hawke-Keating and Rudd-Gillard governments is hardly surprising. However, the extent of this similarity is
The single most important issue that is currently moulding Australia’s strategic environment to its unpredictable and vulnerable direction is the unstable roles and relationship between China and the United States (US). Australia’s current Defence White Policy paper, highlights that the tensions between these two great powers will continue to determine Australia’s direction for protection
It is no longer appropriate to say, “China is quickly emerging as a global superpower.” The fact is China is just that. Realizing this the United States of America has attempted to once again turn its focus eastward. Continuing problems at home and in the Middle East however have made doing so difficult. Additionally more and more frequently attempts at influencing the ongoing narrative in the Asia- Pacific region have been rebuffed. Even allies have found strength in the emergence of a system that fails to conform to previously prescribed methods and ideals. This leads to a fundamental question America must answer quickly. Has the growing hypocrisy of idealistic political rhetoric versus actual foreign policy finally undermined American credibility with developing nations, or for the purposes of this paper more specifically China? The answer is yes.
With a new Liberal party in power, it is high time for Canadians to begin looking beyond the USA and form new allies. China is going to remain a super-power and yet there is a growing negativity of Canadians towards Asia, specifically China. There is an ill-informed bias which is irrational as China accounts for 40% of the Asia GDP and is Canada’s second biggest trader. The image of China in the minds of Canadians needs to improve if Canada wants their relationship to mature.
Harris, S 1995, 'Australia-China political relations: From fear to friendly relations?', Australian Journal Of International Affairs, 49, 2, p. 237, EBSCOhost, viewed 3 August 2015.
Since the fall of the Soviet Union, the Cold War was over, making the U.S. the only superpower left in the world. This has made the international system much more tranquil, and relaxed. The only country potentially powerful besides the U.S., is China. Many Americans fear China, not only because they are communist, but also because of their huge population. Their population is 1.3 billion people, which accounts 1/5th of the world’s population. As one of the only potential superpowers in the world, it would be in the best interest of all Americans if the U.S. and China became allies, instead of enemies. Peace and development, economic prosperity and social progress, are goals that both of
Given the fact that China is now Australia 's largest two-way trading partner, should Australia -- particularly in view of the possible impact of China-ASEAN free-trade agreement on Australia 's trade with China – fast track its negotiations with China for a free trade agreement (FTA)? Write a policy report for the Australian Senate.
We will begin our analysis of these questions by examining China’s economy at the time of Deng Xiaoping’s accession to power in 1978 and the economic growth strategy he and his successor implemented which ultimately led China to ascension into the WTO. We will then review various conditions imposed upon China by the WTO and how China reacted to those changes and to what extent these lead to China’s current status and interaction
The People’s Republic of China (PRC) has become more integrated and willing to cooperate within the global political and economic systems than ever in its history. However, there is growing apprehension in the Asia-Pacific region and the U.S. in regards to the consequences of rising in economic and military power in China. Descriptions about Chinese diplomacy in the policy and scholarly are less positive lately concerning China’s obedience to regional and international rules. There was little debate in the U.S. and elsewhere in regards to whether China was or was not part “the international community.” Scholars and experts in the early 1990s have contended