Australia’s arrogance puts bilateral ties at risk

Since there are no major differences between China and Australia, the relationship between the two close trading partners should really be plain sailing. However, the rising bias and suspicion harbored by some Australians against China are putting bilateral ties on a rough terrain, which caters to the interests of neither country.

Relations have been fraught since last year due to the bias some Australian media have displayed toward China and the remarks of some Australian politicians who have claimed that China has been interfering in Australia’s domestic affairs.

Even though China has denied exerting any influence in its political process, Australia is due to pass a law banning foreign interference in its internal affairs in two weeks, which is likely to cast a shadow over ties.

Exacerbating that gloomy picture, it is expected that Canberra will soon announce that China’s Huawei Technologies will be excluded from Australia’s 5G mobile broadband project on the grounds of “national security”. A claim that Huawei said was “illinformed and not based on facts” in an open letter on Monday. The company has even offered to build an evaluation and testing center as part of its 5G proposal so that there can be independent verification of its equipment.

If the Chinese company is prohibited from being involved in the next-generation mobile services in Australia, it will further sour business relations between the two countries.

However, Canberra’s unfair treatment of Huawei is an old issue, and it is considered unlikely that it will change its stance. Even though Australia is the one that will suffer most if ties take a further turn for the worse.

Australia should heed the advice of those who say it should refrain from making moves that may negatively affect the trajectory of bilateral interaction. It benefits immensely from its trade and vibrant people-to-people exchanges with China.

The establishment of the free trade agreement between China and Australia in 2015 has provided good opportunities and impetus for bilateral trade, the Australian government should not mar that positive picture in cynical pursuit of domestic popularity based on an outdated mentality.

In contrast to the provocations of Australia, China has largely exercised restraint so far. But this does not necessarily mean Beijing lacks options to respond to Canberra’s growing hostility.

It is to be hoped politicians in Canberra will make wiser decisions regarding China, so that it does not push its biggest trading partner into implementing tit-for-tat retaliations.