This blog was supposed to be out two weeks ago when China increased tariffs of Australian wine. Incidentally, tensions increased between China and Australia in last week because of a tweet.
The mainstream media suggests that there are a lot of distrust between the two states, mainly due to the strategic competition between Washington and Beijing. Australia, as a traditional security ally of the US and an economic partner of China, would need to choose a side between the two great powers. And because Morrison’s government has chosen security over economy, the relationship between Australia and China has deteriorated.
This perspective is true to some extent, but often has neglected the direct confrontation between Canberra and Beijing: the COVID investigation, cyber-security, the Quad, tariffs.
Therefore, I suggest a more constructivist argument, that both sides have misinterpreted each others’ worldview, which causing the distrust eventually.
I have lived in Australia for 15 years. Australians value equity a lot, ensure everyone would have a “fair go”. They follow rules and merely question about it, as they assume rules are to make things “sound fair”. They hate rule-breakers, especially those who break rules and give themselves privilege. This is often why terms and conditions in Australia is rather simple — because people expect others to follow.
Therefore, in the context of international relations, we always hear that Australia supports the rule-based institutional multilateral order, namely, great powers are not exceptionalists; everyone plays under the same rule based on international laws and norms. The role of Australia is to ensure everyone plays fairly.
On the other hand, China often sees itself as an “outsider” of the western dominated international system. This does not possibly mean an exception, but a different understanding of worldview, or “clash of civilisation” by Huntington. China sometimes find itself in an odd position because of these differences. From Chinese perspective, they aim to understand, if not respect, differences between state. This is China’s version of multilateralism.
However, Australia thinks that China is not playing under the rule agreed by the international society, for example in the South China Sea, and is trying to challenge the existing order. This is also why the phrase “China bully” has been so popular among Australians. These behaviours are unacceptable in Australian culture.
Relatively, China feel insecure to Australian responses. Chinese think that Australian do not respect their differences, and try to force China to accept their rules. And therefore, Beijing must react to gain respect from Australia. This has explained why, even though Australia has joined RCEP with China last month, the tension has still continued.
Clearly, there are differences in values and cultures between China and Australia. Sole material interests could not explain why the tension seems to be worse than US-China competition. These differences may not lead to conflict if there is a degree of understanding. Unfortunately, Australia-China relations has all been a mess this year. It is now the winter of this well-established relationship since 1972.
Damage has already occurred, and both states will find themselves very difficult to rebuild trust to each other.