What do Australians really think about China? Do we see China as a friendly economic partner? Or as a threat to our economic independence and a potential aggressor in the region?
For the past six years the Sydney based Lowy Institute has been conducting surveys of Australian public attitudes to a range of international issues, including how Australians perceive our regional and international neighbours. The economic rise of China – and its pre-eminence as a trading partner, has made it one of the key countries covered in recent Lowy surveys. What did the 2010 survey reveal about current Australian attitudes to China – and Asia more generally?
According to the 2010 Lowy survey, 73% of respondents agreed that China’s growth has been good for Australia. This is an increase of ten points since 2008.At the same time 69% also agreed that China’s aim is to dominate Asia, up from 60% in 2008.The number of Australians who feel the government is allowing too much investment from China was 57%, up from 50% in 2009’s survey.Forty-six per cent of respondents said it was likely China will become a military threat to Australia in the next 20 years, up five points since 2009, while 52% now said it was unlikely. Sixty-six per cent disagreed Australia was doing enough to pressure China to improve human rights.
Rudd Government Good on China Management
Respondents gave the Rudd government’s handling of ties with China the best score of all countries in the 2010 survey. Relations with China were either ‘a lot better’ (13%) or ‘a little better’ (33%) with only 10% saying they were either ‘a little worse’ (9%) or ‘a lot worse’ (1%). Forty-one per cent said relations were ‘about the same’. Handling of relations with Japan and India, in contrast, were seen as worse under the Rudd government.
Interestingly, when it came to whether ‘the United States should give China a larger say in regional affairs’, Australians opinions were almost equally divided: 45% agreed it should while 49% disagreed.
Australia has moved on from its European Identity
For anyone interested in Australia’s identity and engagement with the Asia Pacific region, the 2010 Lowy survey revealed an interesting picture of how Australians see their place in the world. Thirty-two per cent said Australia was more a part of Asia, 31% the Pacific and 31% said it was not really part of any region, while only 5% said Australia was more a part of Europe.
The survey also polls Australians on which countries they feel warmest towards. The top three in 2010 were New Zealand, Canada and France. Singapore was the highest ranked Asian nation and fourth overall with 69%. The USA was next with 68%. China was tied in mid table with Indonesia on 54%. North Korea was ranked lowest with 37%
For a full copy of the report and its findings visit: www.lowyinstitute.org
