AUKUS is a three-way defense-alliance finalized and eventually signed between the three States; the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. On September 15, 2021, Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Scott Morrison, and Joe Biden announced the creation of AUKUS by issuing a joint statement. Basically, this Alliance came into existence for providing consultations as well as necessary types of equipment to Australia for acquiring nuclear propellant submarines and eventually to work in the Indo-Pacific Region where the rise of Chinese Actions is alarming for certain international actors typically being perceived as a threat. Later on, it is planned to extend the cooperation for the development of wider technologies such as artificial intelligence, cyber capabilities, Innovation, Electronic Warfare, Information sharing and quantum computing. Furthermore, the three collaborating States mentioned in the joint statement that this agreement is going to “help maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific Region”.
Australia’s relations with both major powers i.e. China and the US had been quite a ride. The Australian duo with both is strong but it had to make a choice between the two as keeping comprehensive cooperation with both simultaneously is not very much appreciated by both. Even though Australia has maintained good relations with both, AUKUS did disturbed the equilibrium of the relations with both. Hence, China has ultimately perceived AUKUS as Australia’s tilt towards the US that has caused China-Australia’s decades-old relations to get complicated.
Australia-China Relation:
It is important to look at the facts how the relationship of Australia and China has been shaped over the course of time. The practical cooperation between the two has been tremendous. Both countries have worked together in areas such as economy boosting the trade volume from less than a $100 million in the year 1972 to $230 billion in year 2021. China since the last 50 years has been Australia’s source of imports, tourism, mining industry, students within education sector, hardworking workforce and what not. Both countries have learned from each other in the form of people to people as well as cultural exchanges.29 In the mid 19th century many Chinese immigrants came to Australia as of workforce and has played significant role in Australia’s nation building process. Before the advent of COVID-19, nearly 200 flights used to operate between the two countries. Also touching stories such as a Police officer (Australian) sacrificed her life for a Chinese Citizen while saving her life have left grave impressions of brotherhood in the minds of the Chinese Citizens. In Addition, both countries have also complemented each other’s efforts in fields such as counter terrorism, cross border disputes, nuclear non-proliferation, reduction of poverty, counter measures for natural disasters and many more.
Making it evident that both countries have been involved in good cooperation and commitment but the recent aggressive actions of China in the region such as assertion of control over entire Hong Kong city , violation of Taiwan’s airspace ,Malaysian vessels harassment , being a cause of Vietnamese Ship sunk ,being involved into a violent border conflict with India and conducted cyberattacks against Australia have caused Australia to rethink and realign its defense Policy according to the growing Regional strategic complexities. In the face of such acts, recently Scott Morrison addressed the issue and announced to not ignore the actions being taken in their surroundings. Australia being aggressive happened be a response as Australia has already pumped significant money into economic upheaval and amidst such progress, the rising demand for defense spending is challenging for the state of Australia. Furthermore, the Australian Government is set to spend $190 million in the next 10 years in defense to deter the hostile states (such as China).
Both countries do have good relations, but the recent spy allegations of 2019 put forward by the Chinese Government was instrumental in the deteriorating the relations between Australia and China. So, there was a pro-democracy writer who belonged to Australia and was working in China named Yang Hongjun. 31 He was arrested by the Beijing Police on the allegations of being a spy and causing espionage with the backing of his home country i.e. Australia. In response, the Australian Foreign Minister to China Marise Payne during a Press briefing elaborated that Yang isn’t a spy and expressed extreme disappointment as well. Also added that the Australian Government was extremely “concerned” and “disappointed” as well over China’s such an aggressive move against their citizen.
Australia-US Relations:
Australia and US are very close partners whose relationship extends in various areas such as common interests, cultural affinity to one another as well as road to follow the same democratic values. In Addition, economic, academic, and social ties are very much strong between the two. The vibrant ties between them also promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific Region. Both countries celebrated 80 years of relationship anniversary in the year 2020. The defense relationship is also very important to mention here as both states have been cooperating in various battles since World War 1. Also, 70th anniversary of the ANZUS Treaty (signed between Australia, New Zealand, and the United States as a response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks to work on security) was also celebrated in the year 2021. US and Australia Force Posture Agreement has also been signed in 2014. In 2015, both countries announced a Joint Defense Statement to work together on security issues in the region. In 2021, the Talisman Saber exercise was undertaken for the ninth consecutive year to demonstrate that the two states’ defense forces are working at the highest level of interoperability. Both countries also have a strong perspective on freedom of movement and the proper implication of the law of seas in the South China Sea (in the face of current Chinese Aggressive actions). Hence, AUKUS is not surprising as it further enhanced the compatibility of the two in defense paradox.
So far, Australia and the US have cooperated at lowest to the highest level as most of the policies of both complement each other. The economic ties between the two are also an important factor to note.US Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) happened in the year 2005. As a result, the export of US goods and services to Australia raised by 10% after this agreement hence, a result US trade volume totaled at $60 billion resulting in trade surplus acquired by the US. This volume of trade translated into provision of approximately 172 ,000 jobs to the people of the US. The goods that caused the massive trade included machinery, vehicles (also spare parts), optical, and medical instruments. The services exported included telecommunications, licenses for computer services and financial services as well. Not only the US but Australia also gained much profit by exports to US of items such as meat (lobsters especially), precious stone, metals (lithium). As Australia exhibit good and sophisticated business culture, low trade barriers and good entrepreneurship capabilities in its people, it is quite an attractive market for the US to trade with.
Furthermore, Australia is the leading State to exhibit reserves necessary for clean energy transition mechanism. Hence, the US partnered with Australia along with UK as to expand their vision of free and open Indo-Pacific by collectively developing quantum computing technology, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing because of AUKUS Alliance. Lastly, as a practical implication of Emerging Resource Governance Initiative (ERGI; which is a Climate sustainability group), the US and Australia shall work together for developing robust supply chains for clean energy minerals.
Australia Prioritizing US over China:
Australia is not bidding over the US in usual terms but it’s the result of series of events that made it to make a choice between the two big powers in the International Arena i.e. China and the US. Since the beginning Australia has had good relations with China and the United States as well but the recent economic coercion posed on Australia’s exports such as barley and coal , above mentioned spy case, potential hacking of Australia’s Parliament’s official website by the Chinese hackers in the year 2019 causing interference has caused Australia to take strict action i.e. barring China to launch their 5G complex infrastructure to get introduced in Australia. Also, Australia has increased its spending on defense and by that it means that it would be more considerate to not upsurge its bilateral ties with China instead have a deep relationship with the US which is already conferred in the form of AUKUS.
Another important topic to be talked about is the Belt and Road Initiative Agreement between Australia and China torn by Australia. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed in 2018 by an official named Daniel Andrews with Chinese Development and Reform Authorities to work together on Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Projects. The Agreement between the two states was part of an economic move taken by the Chinese foreign policy investing $1.3 trillion dollars as a result. This investment was to make global trade routes on critical sea lines and improve the critical infrastructure such as ports, and railways of underdeveloped countries make international trade to get boost. Victoria, Australia has done so under its new foreign veto laws which has been declared as absolute unreasonable and move by China.
Contrary to the claims that were made by Victorian officials at the time of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) finalization that Australia exhibit all the infrastructure and delivery mechanisms China is looking for in the face of this massive project and a roadmap shall be made in 2020 mid to expand Chinese-Australian partnership to accommodate new industries such as agriculture, biotechnology, cosmetics and some others, but it all ended at a mere glimpse. The Chinese spokesperson in Canberra has declared this move by China as clearly retarding factor in Australia-China Relations and Australia having no intention to improve the relations. He added that bilateral relations shall get hurt because of such move and Australia is going to hurt itself only.
Hence, it is clear that Australia is having a will to bet on the US in AUKUS and that it is unable to provide sound proof as to why it is not partnering with Beijing since a lot of Australian stakes are to be protected by the US in terms of Australia’s position in the Indo-Pacific Arena where it has to prove its partnership with the US as more fruitful since in Australia’s perspective AUKUS is the only way its trade to other regions shall get secure. Also, its important as Chinese Aggressive moves in the Indo-Pacific are presenting a big challenge to Australia’s long-term economic aspirations.
