Australia-China relations

NARROWER TERMS


Report

Australia’s China knowledge capability: university teaching, research, and future needs

This report was developed as a resource for those with a stake in the China relationship across the university, government, corporate and community sectors – to consider how Australia can best develop a long-term capability which adapts and adjusts with the changes in both Australia...
Report

Chinese whispers: China’s media influence and pushback in Australia and Asia

The author of this paper argues that Australia has performed better in curtailing the influence of China on media than most countries in East and Southeast Asia. It is suggested that these countries stay alert and work together to forge a cross-nation network in exchange...
Report

Chinese coercion, Australian resilience

As bilateral relations stabilise, Australia should work to entrench its position as an indispensable supplier of key commodities to China, argues Richard McGregor in this paper.
Report

WeChat’s role in Australian democracy: a grassroots view

This study finds that despite drawbacks, the Chinese messaging app, WeChat, plays a vital role in the democratic participation of Chinese-Australians. It argues that the greatest challenge with WeChat remains a lack of regulatory oversight from the Australian government and the platform’s niche role within...
Report

Tweet dreams: looking for evidence of Chinese government influence on Twitter

This research debunks speculation that a major state-backed campaign was deployed to influence political discourse in Australia on social media. The research analysed more than 69,000 tweets, from two low-points in Australia-China relations in 2020, and found no evidence the CCP was using bots to...
Briefing paper

Producing policy-relevant China research and analysis in an era of strategic competition

This brief report explores the challenge of producing policy-relevant China research and analysis. Policy-relevant research is defined as work that drives action, affects decision-making, or both. It’s the kind of research think tanks seek to do, bridging the gap between academia and civil servants who...
Book

Taking the low road: China's influence in Australian states and territories

This publication explores the changing nature of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) engagement with Australian states and territories, local governments, city councils, universities, research organisations and non-government organisations nested in Australian civil society.
Report

Lines blurred: Chinese community organisations in Australia

This research paper examines Australia’s foreign interference debate and Beijing’s reach in supporting Chinese-Australian community organisations.
Report

Time to ‘step up’ the tempo: Australia’s answer to Beijing in Papua New Guinea

This paper argues that the opportunistic nature of Chinese foreign policy demands vigilance from Australian policy-makers. It recommends some ways Australia can use its tools of statecraft to mitigate China’s influence and competition.
Briefing paper

Integrated deterrence in the Indo-Pacific: advancing the Australia-United States alliance

This briefing paper examines the evolution and requirements of regional security interoperability among the United States and its regional partners in the Indo-Pacific. It also assesses the evolving state of defence integration between the United States and Australia.
Report

Translating tension: Chinese-language media in Australia

This report provides some insight into the published content of Chinese-language media organisations in Australia. It examines the production and representation of news stories covering bilateral tensions between Australia and China during 2020, the perceived links between Chinese-language media and the Chinese Communist Party, and...
Report

Chinese tariffs on Australian wine in 2020: the domestic drivers of international coercion

This paper documents China’s policies to develop its domestic wine industry, which it regards as more achievable without competition from Australian imports. Protectionism appears to be an important driver of the trade barriers on Australian wine.
Report

Leaping across the ocean: the port operators behind China's naval expansion

The People’s Republic of China's (PRC) overseas investment in critical infrastructure poses a significant challenge to Australia and to other nations that don’t share China’s strategic interests. This report argues that Australia should adopt a whole-of-nation approach to safeguarding the resilience of critical infrastructure in...
Policy report

Eyes on the prize: Australia, China, and the Antarctic Treaty

The Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) provides Australia with a peaceful, non-militarised south. This report asserts that Australia should front load its support for the ATS, increasing both the substance and profile of our Antarctic activities.
Policy report

The influence environment

This report is based on detailed research into 24 Chinese-language media organisations operating in Australia, analysis of their coverage of events, and investigations into the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP's) efforts to influence media in this country.
Policy report

The party speaks for you

This paper dissects the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP's) united front system and its role in foreign interference. It describes the broad range of agencies and goals of the united front system, rather than focusing only on the United Front Work Department (UFWD).
Discussion paper

Demonising China during COVID-19

This papers argues that much of the corona virus ‘blame game’, including the Australian government’s call for an international independent inquiry into China’s actions, is misguided and self-interested.
Report

Eyes wide open: managing the Australia-China Antarctic relationship

The recommendations in the report are designed to maximise the value and mitigate the downside risks of China engagement for Australia's Antarctic and broader national interests.
Article

The Sino-Australian relationship: the geopolitics of a post COVID-19 international order

China seems poised to emerge from the current crises stronger than before. This will test the Sino-Australian relationship that has been characterised by mutual strategic interest and mutual distrust.
Report

Taiwan flashpoint: what Australia can do to stop the coming Taiwan crisis

This paper argues that rather than continue the debate about Australia’s position on its ANZUS obligations should the United States invoke the treaty in a Taiwan conflict, Australia should work with other regional powers to advocate for more robust risk avoidance and crisis management mechanisms.
Policy report

Mind your tongue

As Australia is compelled to engage with a more confrontational China, there’s a risk that political commentary and media reporting on Chinese influence and interference operations in Australia could affect Chinese-Australian communities adversely. This briefing paper offers some constructive suggestions to address the issue.
Article

Explainer: what is China’s United Front, and how much influence does it have in Australia?

The United Front has become much more prominent since Xi Jinping became Communist Party general secretary in 2012. Xi has been instrumental in raising its status in the Chinese political system and publicly supporting a dramatic expansion of its roles and target groups.
Article

Averting a global calamity? Trump and Xi at the G20

The outlines of a trade deal between the United States and China are there. But without a return to the negotiating table, the dispute could rapidly escalate, magnifying the damage to world growth.
Report

Australia-China law enforcement cooperation

This paper outlines existing law enforcement cooperation between Australian and Chinese authorities, highlights the risks and limitations in working with China, and suggests areas where future cooperation can be enhanced.
Discussion paper

The ostrich sticks its head in the sand and thinks itself safe

David Feeney argues that Australia needs a grand strategy which will consider the actions it can take, as a status quo medium power, to support the Rules Based Global Order and secure the country's economic, strategic and diplomatic national interests.