Relationship dossier
Australia
People's Republic of China
Relationship assessment
A major trade relationship marked by strategic tensions and a recent, partial easing of trade disputes.
Australia toward People's Republic of China
-10Australia has pursued security measures affecting Chinese companies, including excluding Huawei from its 5G network in 2018, and enacted foreign-interference laws. It also strengthened security cooperation with the United States and United Kingdom through AUKUS. At the same time, Australia maintained the China–Australia Free Trade Agreement and negotiated the removal of trade restrictions on Australian exports.
People's Republic of China toward Australia
-15China imposed trade restrictions on several Australian exports after bilateral relations deteriorated in 2020. From 2023 onward, the two governments pursued dialogue and China removed restrictions on several products, including barley and wine. These steps eased economic pressure but did not resolve broader strategic disagreements.
Overall relationship
0The enduring relationship combines significant trade ties and a bilateral free-trade agreement with recurring strategic friction. Trade restrictions and security disputes have periodically strained relations, while subsequent negotiations and the removal of several restrictions show capacity for practical cooperation. Neither the economic partnership nor the strategic disagreements alone define the relationship.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Australia and China have a substantial economic relationship, including the China–Australia Free Trade Agreement, alongside persistent strategic and political tensions. Australia has taken security and foreign-interference measures affecting Chinese interests, while China imposed trade restrictions on several Australian exports after relations deteriorated in 2020. The two governments later restored some high-level contact and removed several trade barriers, but the relationship remains marked by both economic cooperation and disputes.
Areas of tension
- Chinese trade restrictions on Australian exports following the 2020 deterioration in relations
- Australia's exclusion of Huawei from its 5G network
- Australian foreign-interference laws and concerns about foreign political influence
- Australia's AUKUS security partnership and broader strategic alignment
Key developments
The China–Australia Free Trade Agreement entered into force, deepening the formal framework for bilateral trade.
Australia announced that high-risk vendors, including Huawei, would be excluded from its 5G network.
Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States announced the AUKUS security partnership.
China removed its anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties on Australian barley following a bilateral review.
China ended its anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties on Australian wine.
Major uncertainties
- The durability of the recent easing in trade restrictions and high-level engagement is uncertain.
- The future scope of security and strategic disagreements between the governments is unclear.