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China-Australia relations reach ‘good enough’ baseline, ex-envoy says
🇨🇳 China /Economy & Trade

China-Australia relations reach ‘good enough’ baseline, ex-envoy says

From South China Morning Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • China-Australia relations have reached a stable baseline after years of tension, according to a former Australian diplomat.
  • The relationship, which fractured in 2017, is now on a more realistic footing, though Beijing's broader ambitions remain unmet.
  • Current reviews of their free-trade agreement and participation in trade expos signal a thaw, despite ongoing security frictions.

Relations between China and Australia have settled into a "good enough" state for Canberra, though they fall short of Beijing's wider objectives, a former top Australian diplomat has assessed. Graham Fletcher, who served as Australia's ambassador to China from 2019 to 2023, noted in a report that ties have moved onto a "more realistic footing" after a significant downturn since 2017.

The countries are currently re-evaluating their decade-old free-trade agreement. Australia was also the guest of honor at China's International Supply Chain Promotion Expo in Beijing in June, indicating a warming of diplomatic and economic ties. This marks a considerable shift from the deep freeze that began in 2017, when Australia enacted anti-foreign interference legislation and accused Beijing of political infiltration.

good enough

— Graham FletcherDescribing the current state of China-Australia relations.

Despite the improved baseline, deep-seated security concerns persist, particularly regarding regional issues like the South China Sea. However, the current state of affairs represents a sharp turnaround from the near-fracture of relations experienced in previous years.

a more realistic footing

— Graham FletcherAssessing the current state of China-Australia relations after years of strain.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by South China Morning Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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