Although Australia is located in the Asia-Pacific Region, its perspective is a Western state. Therefore, the country has positive relations with Western states, especially the United States of America (USA). This is clearly understood from the Western-based alliances that Australia is in. But at the same time, especially with the election of Anthony Albanese as the Prime Minister of Australia in May 2022,[1] the dialogue on the Canberra-Beijing line has strengthened and Australia has adopted an approach that emphasizes diplomacy in its relations with China.
Australia is an important pillar of AUKUS formed by the United Kingdom and the USA.[2] This pact is important in terms of strengthening the influence of two important Western actors in the region. In fact, the alliance in question was established with the aim of containing China. This increases tension and insecurity on the Beijing-Canberra line.
Alongside AUKUS, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD), which includes Australia, is an important Western alliance for the Asia-Pacific Region. QUAD basically aimed to bring together states that have adopted democratic principles.[3] However, it can be said that the main goal of this alliance is to limit China’s activities in the South China Sea and to create resistance against the increasing pressure of the Beijing administration in the region. As a matter of fact, within the framework of the West’s geopolitical rivalry with China, this alliance serves as an important front for Washington.
Considering all these alliances and the representation of Australia in the United Kingdom, Canberra becomes an actor where Western influence is strongly felt. At this point, it is possible to say that China-Australia relations are strained due to the political conjuncture in Canberra.
On the other hand, as mentioned above, the dialogue between Australia and China has intensified after Albanese was elected Prime Minister of Australia. As a matter of fact, Albanese, on the one hand, aims to improve relations with Beijing; on the other hand, it maintains its relations with the West and makes security-based agreements with Western actors. For example, Australia has decided to accelerate the purchase of sea mines in order to build up resistance to Chinese activities in the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean. As a matter of fact, in the statements made by the Australia, it was stated that this decision was taken to protect the sea routes and ports from “potential aggressors”.[4]
First of all, it should be noted that the decision in question came after China increased its activities in the seas. In addition, the definition of “potential attackers” in the aforementioned statement cannot be ignored. Because when both expressions are analyzed together, it is understood that the definition of “potential aggressors” refers to China. For this reason, it can be argued that although there are signs of softening in the relations between Beijing and Canberra and dialogue attempts are made, this is not enough to solve the problems.
Moreover, there have been allegations that British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his Australian counterpart Albanese will announce a new nuclear submarine design in a meeting to be held in Washington in March 2023, hosted by US President Joe Biden.[5] Considering the cooperation of the parties within AUKUS, it can be said that this was not an unexpected move. However, while there is a nuclear power like North Korea in the region and states like Japan and South Korea feel the nuclear threat very closely; announcing the design of a new nuclear submarine could upset these states. Therefore, such a move could cause a crack in the Western alliance. In addition to all these, the situation in question will also attract the reaction of China. This could lead to an irreversible rupture of relations between Beijing and Canberra.
As a result, the sustainability of Australia’s multi-faceted foreign policy, which both develops its dialogue with China in the Asia-Pacific and makes defense-based agreements with Western actors by taking part in Western alliances, is controversial today, when the tension between the West and China has reached its maximum level. Because the level reached by the tension is a serious obstacle to the applicability of the said policy of Australia.
[1] “Australia Election: Anthony Albanese Leads Labor to Australian Election Victory”, BBC News, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-61267489, (Date of Accession: 04.02.2023).
[2] “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, (Date of Accession: 03.02.2023).
[3] Mustafa Cem Koyuncu, “Hint-Pasifik Bölgesinin “Yeni Yıldızı” QUAD: Zayıflıklar, Fırsatlar, Tehditler ve Avantajlar”, ANKASAM, https://www.ankasam.org/hint-pasifik-bolgesinin-yeni-yildizi-quad-zayifliklar-firsatlar-tehditler-ve-avantajlar/, (Date of Accession: 31.01.2023).
[4] “Australia Eyes More Sea Mines to Shore Up Maritime Defence Amid China’s Influence in Pacific”, South China Morning Post, https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3207748/australia-eyes-more-sea-mines-shore-maritime-defence-amid-chinas-influence-pacific, (Date of Accession: 04.02.2023).
[5] “UK, Australia to Unveil Nuclear Submarine Design During Biden Meeting in US”, South China Morning Post, https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3208935/uk-australia-unveil-nuclear-submarine-design-during-biden-meeting-us, (Date of Accession: 04.02.2023).
