Abstract
An empirical review of the China-Australia strategic partnership finds it “nominal” and an ambivalent pattern of economic interdependence and political and security mistrust. The research objectives of this chapter are to explore China’s strategy of partnership with Australia and the systemic and unit-level dynamics and constraints that result in the ambivalent pattern. This chapter finds that some factors at the systemic and unit levels advance their economic interdependence whereas others alienate the two states and lead to an ambivalent pattern of relations. This chapter concludes that this ambivalent pattern will most likely remain in the foreseeable future given the growing clash of interests driven by systemic and unit-level constraints.
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Notes
- 1.
Wen Jiabao, former Chinese Premier (2003–2013), provided explanation of the term “comprehensive” as cooperation in the economic, cultural and political fields; the relationship is both bilateral and multilateral, meaning that the dyadic countries in a comprehensive partnership may work together in dealing with multilateral issues; a comprehensive relationship is multi-layer as well, including both government-to-government cooperation and people-to-people diplomacy. The term “strategic” means that cooperation between states not only has an overall importance to the bilateral relationship but also is stable and long term, overcoming the differences in ideology and political systems. Finally, the term “partnership” means that states cooperate on the basis of mutual-respect, mutual-trust and equality, and strive to develop a win–win relationship.
- 2.
Yu Changsen is Associate Professor and Executive Director of the Center for Oceanian Studies, Sun Yat-sen University.
- 3.
Li, Jianjun is Associate Professor and Director of the Australian Studies Center, Beijing Foreign Studies University.
- 4.
Shamsul Khan is Senior Lecturer at School of Justice and Society, the Adelaide University.
- 5.
Guo Chunmei is Associate Professor and Director of South Pacific Division, China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations.
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Yu, L., Sui, S. (2023). The Strange “Bed-Fellows” with Different Dreams: The System-Unit Dynamics in China–Australia Strategic Partnership. In: Gao, M., O’Connor, J., Xie, B., Butcher, J. (eds) Different Histories, Shared Futures. Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-9191-2_8
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