Australia’s “Five Eyes Alliance”[1], which was established in 1941 with the cooperation of Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the USA, and ANZUS[2], which was established in 1951 with the partnership of the USA and New Zealand, and AUKUS[3], which was established in 2021 with the cooperation of the United Kingdom and the USA, and 2017. It can be said that it is the only actor that is present at the same time, unchanged, in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD)[4] cooperation, which was implemented with the cooperation of the USA, Japan and India in 2017. It can be argued that this situation provides Canberra with a Western perspective.
This situation creates a regional competition between Australia and China. This competition has many geocultural, geostrategic and geoeconomic dimensions. However, on the other hand, it can be said that Australia has made new breakthroughs in its foreign policy with the Albanese administration and is pursuing a more proactive foreign policy.
In his statement on January 24, 2024, China’s Ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, stated that increasing Chinese involvement, especially in policing efforts, should not be a source of concern for Australia. Speaking at the first press conference of the year in Canberra, Xiao argued that Australia should not be concerned about Chinese activities in the region. Xiao used the following statements in his statement:[5]
“It is an area where the Pacific Islands countries, China and Australia can cooperate and contribute together. Instead of forcing them to choose between two countries, they should be helped to achieve social stability, economic development and bilateral trade relations, as China has done.”
On the other hand, Australia has strong commercial ties with China. This situation may lead to Canberra’s intention to keep its rivalry with China within the framework of competition only and not to turn this rivalry into a hot conflict or military rivalry. However, as mentioned above, all cooperations in which Australia is involved in the Asia-Pacific Region are Washington-based military-security cooperations. This actually expresses the complicated situation that Canberra is in in its relations with Beijing.
Xiao also stated that Australia should not have anything to worry about regarding China’s activities and influence in the Asia-Pacific. Xiao said, “We are not looking for strategies and military objectives based on military force. “Australia does not need to feel any concern,” he said. Moreover, while addressing the issue of Nauru changing diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China on January 23, 2024, Xiao said that this decision was a sovereign choice of Nauru and would not affect Australia’s relations with this small island country. “The relationship between China and Nauru is a reflection of the general growing consensus in the international community that there is only one China in this world and that Taiwan is part of China,” Xiao said.
Australia is in military cooperation with the West in the Asia-Pacific. However, it is known that Canberra’s efforts to reduce its competition with China stem from its relations with Beijing. In such a situation, Beijing’s emphasis on economic-based relations, separated from the security conjuncture, is noteworthy and highlights China’s effort to build trust in its relations with Australia.[6]
Speaking about Australia-China relations, Xiao stated that relations stabilized after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s visit to Beijing in November 2023, and a number of trade barriers to Australian exports imposed in 2020 were removed. While he expressed that China wishes to “continue the good momentum” towards further improving the relationship, he also emphasized the need for cooperation in the defense sector. Xiao made the following statements about the cooperation between Beijing and Canberra:
“The defense relationship between our two countries is an area where we really need to put more effort and work harder. This is a very important area for mutual trust and reliability between the two countries and people. If you can establish trust between the military efforts of both countries, you will have real trust.”
Xiao states that China’s activities in the region do not have military purposes and should not cause concern. At this point, it can be said that China’s engagement in the region is mainly focused on economic and commercial cooperation. Claims that China’s presence in the South Pacific aims for economic development and social stability are important. As a matter of fact, these reflect Beijing’s efforts to move away from polarization politics in the region.
Developments such as Albanese’s visit to China and the removal of trade barriers imposed in 2020 contribute to the stabilization of relations. This can be considered as a strategy to reduce tensions between the two countries through regional cooperation and diplomatic efforts.[7]
China’s emphasis on cooperation in the defense sector is also noteworthy. Building mutual trust between the parties is of critical importance. This reveals Beijing’s intention for greater cooperation on regional security and stability issues.
[1] What Is The Five Eyes Alliance?”, Forbes, https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/what-is-five-eyes/, (Access Date: 29.01.2024).
[2] “ANZUS Treaty Comes Into Force”, News Zealand History, https://nzhistory.govt.nz/anzus-comes-into-force, (Access Date: 27.01.2024).
[3] “What is the Aukus Alliance and What are Its Implications?”, The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/sep/16/what-is-the-aukus-alliance-and-what-are-its-implications, (Erişim Tarihi: 26.01.2023).
[4] “What is the Quad, and How did it Come About?”, The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/24/what-is-the-quad-and-how-did-it-come-about, (Erişim Tarihi: 26.01.2023).
[5] “Top Chinese Diplomat Says Support of Pacific Nations with Policing Should not Alarm Australia”, Associated Press News, https://apnews.com/article/australia-china-taiwan-43d09b05519fc7406637ffd6b17b5ffb, (Access Date: 25.01.2024).
[6] Ibıd.
[7] Ibıd.
