Author(s)

Linxi Li ¹

Affiliation(s)

¹ Faculty of Arts, Monash University, Melbourne, 3800, Australia

Corresponding Author

Linxi Li

ABSTRACT

In recent years, Australia-China relations have undergone significant fluctuations, marked by complex interactions across political, economic, and social spheres. The bilateral relationship faces persistent challenges rooted in ideological divergence, geopolitical competition, and conflicting strategic interests. This paper applies three international relations theories—defensive realism, constructivism, and liberal institutionalism—to analyze the dynamics of this evolving relationship. Defensive realism accounts for the security-driven alignment between Australia and the United States, particularly in military strategy. Constructivism highlights the impact of ideological discord in shaping diplomatic tensions, while liberal institutionalism underscores the resilience of economic cooperation despite political disagreements. The study also investigates Australia's policy transition from strategic hedging to a more balanced stance on China, shaped by domestic political considerations and external pressures. Looking forward, this paper argues that fostering dialogue, deepening economic interdependence, and enhancing cultural exchange are critical to stabilizing bilateral ties. A pragmatic, multifaceted engagement strategy may enable Australia and China to navigate their competitive coexistence toward a more stable and predictable future.

KEYWORDS

China Australia Relations, Geopolitics, Trade Cooperation, Ideology

CITE THIS PAPER

Linxi Li, An Analysis of the Current Australia-China Relationship: Interpretation and Outlook. Journal of Political Science Research (2025) Vol. 6: 58-67. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/DOI: 10.23977/polsr.2025.060109.

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