Opinion | Unlike the US, Australia cannot afford to decouple from China

Name: Australia and China cooperation too valuable for 'nonsensical' decoupling
Uploaded: 2020-08-07T21:15:06.000Z
Duration: 7 min 34 s
Description: Australia and China cooperation too valuable for 'nonsensical' decoupling

As Australia draws closer to the US in the name of national security and pursues trade diversification, it risks alienating China, its largest trading partner by far with a crucial role in its economic recovery

Reading Time:3 minutes

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The Sydney Opera House is seen through a Chinese flag. Understandably, where some of China’s activities are not in line with Australian values, they attract criticism. But does that mean Australia should throw away its economic security? Photo: AFP

Yuan Jiang

Published: 5:15am, 8 Aug 2020Updated: 7:23am, 8 Aug 2020

For the longest time, Australia refused to choose between China, its largest trade partner, and the United States, its strongest security ally. But with Sino-Australian diplomatic relations strained, Australia has revealed a change of strategy in choosing to defend its national security by aligning with the US.

However, does Australia’s security-centred rhetoric really serve its national interest? Defence hawks see themselves on the moral high ground, protecting Australian values and dignity.

Anyone who disagrees and pursues economic engagement with China risks being condemned as disloyal Australians or China apologists. Yet, is economic security not part of national security? Is the creation of jobs not crucial amid an economic downturn?

Australia’s policy of trade diversification away from China is a reflection of its focus on the economy and employment, and of its worries about becoming too dependent on China. But if this strategy worked, Australia’s worries about China dependence would have disappeared years ago.

07:34

Australia and China cooperation too valuable for 'nonsensical' decoupling

As Professor James Laurenceson, at the University of Technology Sydney, pointed out last year, economic ties, unlike security or political issues that can be decided upon by officials, mainly depend on “market forces – economic complementarities and purchasing power”, and no other country can match the demand that China offers Australia.

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