INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM ANALYTICAL FACTOR IN AUSTRALIA’S RESPONSE TOWARDS TENSIONS WITH CHINA

Abstract

The relationship between Australia and China has been one of the highlights of recent foreign policy study. With its relatively unstable political dynamics, China has been very good at maintaining its economic growth so that its often referred as Rising China. Australia, on the other hand, has a great influence in Asia-Pasific economic aspect. For decades, Australia and China have a strong economic ties towards each other. It makes them one of the best duo in Asia-Pasific economic cooperation. After previously the relationship between Australia and China had been stretched for some reasons, recently the relationship between the two has become increasingly tense. It related to the various aggressiveness by China’s foreign policy towards Australia, one of which is the posting of fake image by Chinese officials, which is quite controversial. This controversy has an impact on the trade relationship between the two which getting heated. However, Australia's response tends to be less strong, compared to China’s aggressiveness. Therefore, the author will try to analyze Australia's response in this issue seen from the International System level of analysis. Inline with this, the author will focus on how interdependence in the international system can influence Australia not to act more aggressively in responding to China.