Can Sino- Australian relations transcend political obstacles?

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang wrapped up his official visit to Australia on Sunday. During the five- day tour, he attended the fifth annual meeting between Chinese and Australian prime ministers. This year marks the 45 anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Premier Li’s trip to Australia will contribute to the promotion of mutual benefits and better understanding between peoples of the two countries and inject new impetus to the development of the bilateral relations.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1972, bilateral cooperation between the two countries developed steadily. Since the two countries decided to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2014, the bilateral relationship has achieved leapfrog development, whether it is in range, content or level.

First, China and Australia have witnessed many high- level exchanges, the promotion of political mutual trust and the deepening of political tolerance and understanding. In addition to the annual meeting of prime ministers, the two countries have dozens of bilateral dialogue mechanisms, such as diplomatic and strategic dialogue and strategic economic dialogue.

The bilateral relationship has also become more significant to both countries. In November 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping and then Australian prime minister Tony Abbott decided to enhance bilateral ties from strategic partnership to comprehensive strategic partnership.

Second, the economic and trade relations between the two countries have been improving continuously. China is the largest trading partner of Australia for the eighth consecutive year, and is Australia’s largest export market and source of imports. In 2015, the two countries formally signed the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement. In 2016, the bilateral trade reached $ 107.8 billion, and a total investment of more than $ 100 billion. Third, the cultural exchanges between China and Australia continue to deepen. In 2016, tourism exchanges between the two countries have reached nearly 2 million people. China has become Australia’s largest source of overseas students. Although Sino- Australian ties have seen great developments, it should be noted that the bilateral relationship still face many difficulties. In 2016, China’s deficit against Australia reached nearly $ 50 billion, to which both parties should give priority. The Sino- Australian relationship is mostly influenced by politics and security. Australia, the US’ largest and most important ally in the South Pacific region, has regarded the US-Australia alliance as the axis of its foreign policy. Australia has always followed the US on political and security issues. Australia has participated in all major military operations led by the US after WWII, such as the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Compared with the long- lasting US- Australia alliance built on the basis of shared values, the Sino- Australian relationship, with a 45- year history, is still fragile and vulnerable to regional politics and Sino- US relations. Once the US initiates conflicts with China, Australia will choose to follow the US without hesitation. For example, on the South China Sea issue, Australia closely cooperated with the former Obama administration in its rebalance to Asia- Pacific strategy and provided political and military support for the US. Although China and Australia have many differences, they can transcend national and institutional differences, and continue to maintain good interaction if both sides uphold the principles of mutual respect, equal treatment and mutual benefit, which can be aided by the development of the bilateral relations in these years.