Starting last month and continuing today, China and Australia’s governments are attempting to calm down tensions between the two countries. In recent years, disputes and insults have been common as Australia becomes a large obstacle to Beijing’s power.
In recent years, the two countries have become more aggressive towards each other, with arguments over technology, trade, political influence, and military often turning from heated discussions to hateful criticism.
Since the election in Australia, and consequently a new government, it has been made clear that leaders in both countries wish to form a positive relationship.
Anthony Albanese, Australia’s current prime minister, has stated that he wishes to reform the relations they once had with China prior to their current state, as China is his country’s largest trading partner, and Xiao Qian, China’s ambassador to Australia has made speeches, newspaper commentaries, and private meetings to show Beijing similarly wishes for better ties with Australia.
On Friday, Mr. Xiao stated, “There is every reason for China and Australia to be friends and partners, rather than adversaries. …The atmosphere in both countries needs be to improved, that’s a fact.”
However, it has not always been this way. Relationships have been rocky as Australian leaders became guarded and skeptical towards China’s influence. China’s military dominance in the South China Sea further strained their relationship, frightening many capitals. In 2018, Australia’s government passed laws which were indirectly aimed at the Chinese Communist Party, becoming the first Western government to reject Chinese telecommunications to prevent it from building its 5G network.
Furthermore Scott Morrinson, Australia’s former prime minister, “cast himself as showing the way in standing up to China,” the New York Times states. In 2021, Mr. Morrinson signed an agreement with the U.S. and Britain regarding defense technology that allowed the countries to give Australia nuclear-powered submarines.
Mr. Albanese and his secretaries have stated that they would continue to follow that agreement, and would “assert Australia’s right to send navy ships through the South China Sea, where China claims many islands also claimed by Southeast Asian countries”.
To combat this, Chinese officials have publicly announced Australia’s plans to collect the nuclear-propelled submarines as wrong. As of 2020, Beijing has forced higher taxes on the import and export of Australian goods. These retaliations appeared to only “deepen Australian public and official wariness of the Chinese government”.
Link to article: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/24/world/asia/china-australia-ties.html
In recent years, the two countries have become more aggressive towards each other, with arguments over technology, trade, political influence, and military often turning from heated discussions to hateful criticism.
Since the election in Australia, and consequently a new government, it has been made clear that leaders in both countries wish to form a positive relationship.
Anthony Albanese, Australia’s current prime minister, has stated that he wishes to reform the relations they once had with China prior to their current state, as China is his country’s largest trading partner, and Xiao Qian, China’s ambassador to Australia has made speeches, newspaper commentaries, and private meetings to show Beijing similarly wishes for better ties with Australia.
On Friday, Mr. Xiao stated, “There is every reason for China and Australia to be friends and partners, rather than adversaries. …The atmosphere in both countries needs be to improved, that’s a fact.”
However, it has not always been this way. Relationships have been rocky as Australian leaders became guarded and skeptical towards China’s influence. China’s military dominance in the South China Sea further strained their relationship, frightening many capitals. In 2018, Australia’s government passed laws which were indirectly aimed at the Chinese Communist Party, becoming the first Western government to reject Chinese telecommunications to prevent it from building its 5G network.
Furthermore Scott Morrinson, Australia’s former prime minister, “cast himself as showing the way in standing up to China,” the New York Times states. In 2021, Mr. Morrinson signed an agreement with the U.S. and Britain regarding defense technology that allowed the countries to give Australia nuclear-powered submarines.
Mr. Albanese and his secretaries have stated that they would continue to follow that agreement, and would “assert Australia’s right to send navy ships through the South China Sea, where China claims many islands also claimed by Southeast Asian countries”.
To combat this, Chinese officials have publicly announced Australia’s plans to collect the nuclear-propelled submarines as wrong. As of 2020, Beijing has forced higher taxes on the import and export of Australian goods. These retaliations appeared to only “deepen Australian public and official wariness of the Chinese government”.
Link to article: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/24/world/asia/china-australia-ties.html
