22. 10. 2024

This episode of The IR thinker explores the shifting contours of Australia–China relations with Philipp Ivanov, examining how Canberra navigates security concerns, economic interdependence and alliance commitments in an increasingly competitive Indo-Pacific. The conversation considers the impact of AUKUS and the Quad, China’s reaction to these partnerships, the role of the Belt and Road Initiative, and the evolving links in trade, higher education and energy between the two countries.

Philipp Ivanov

Philipp Ivanov is a public policy leader and China specialist with extensive executive experience across government, universities and think tanks in Australia, the United States, China, Asia and Russia. He is the founder of the Geopolitical Risks and Strategy Practice (GRASP) and a Visiting Scholar at the Centre for Australian, New Zealand and Pacific Studies at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.

Publications:

Australian CEOs face a wave of geopolitical risks

Together and Apart: The Conundrum of the China-Russia Partnership

A Second Chance: How Team Australia can Succeed in Asia

Disruptive Asia: 5-volume essay series on the impact of Asia’s rise on Australia

Russia has also become a lot more important to China

What Lies in Wait for Xi and Putin in the Year of the Dragon?

Can Russia Get Used to Being China’s Little Brother?

Content

00:00 - Introduction
01:38 - Current Diplomatic Landscape: Australia and China
05:14 - Domestic Consensus: Australia’s Internal Views on China
09:54 - Shifting Alliances: The Impact of Quad and AUKUS on Australia’s Strategy
14:28 - China’s Perspective: Reactions to Australia’s Security Partnerships
17:42 - The Belt and Road Initiative: Implications for China-Australia Relations
23:26 - Australia’s Strategic Response to the Belt and Road Initiative
29:02 - The U.S. Factor: American Influence on Australia-China Relations
35:12 - Trade Dynamics: Australia’s Economic Dependence on China
43:30 - Education and Espionage: Chinese Influence in Australian Academia
50:39 - Multilateral vs. Bilateral: Australia-China Engagement in the Indo-Pacific
56:16 - Energy Ties: The Australia-China Energy Relationship