Why Does Australia Perceive China as a THREAT?: A Constructivist Point of View

Abstract

Purpose: As the competition for supremacy between the United States and China intensifies, the strategic instability of neighboring countries is gradually increasing, and the Cold War era s new competition structure, which requires the choice of one of two options: the United States and China, is being recreated. In this situation, Australia is the most active country in the US containment policy toward China, expressing concerns about the rise of China without filtering. This study attempts to examine the reasons why Australia, which is located at a distance from China and has high economic interdependence, is recognizing China as a threat and actively participating in the US-led containment policy of China . Method: In this study, we will look at Australia s policy toward China from the perspective of Constructivism in order to find out the factors that form Australia s perception of threats to China. First of all, the framework of the analysis was formed through basic discussions on Constructivism, looking at the conflict between Australia and China, and focusing on the results of the survey that analyzed Australian people s identity and historical perspective and perception of China by looking at the culture and perception formed in Australia, I want to achieve my research purpose. Results: The United States and Australia are independent countries from the United Kingdom and share a racial, religious and cultural base. The United States and Australia, which have been working together to resolve important international conflicts and wars since World War I, maintain a solid alliance system based on ANSUS. Moreover, after the COVID-19 incident, the spread of hatred toward the Chinese in Australia, the expansion of China s influence, and the issue of the South China Sea are rising, increasing awareness that the national interests of the United States and Australia are infringed. Australia, which shares its perception and identity of China from a constructivist point of view with the United States, will continue to actively cooperate with the United States containment policy toward China and strengthen cooperation with Western countries centered on the United States. Conclusion: Although Australia is located in Asia, Australian identity, culture and historical values are closer to the Western world. As a member of the Commonwealth, Australia maintains partnerships in various fields, including politics, economic security and academia, along with the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand, which are expected to continue in the future. Australia, which has a Western identity, will strengthen cooperation with the Quad Council for stability and protection of national interests in the Indo-Pacific region and strengthen checks against China. Australia s foreign policy can be assessed as being influenced by the national identity of the United States, which shares threats to China, and strengthens cooperation with security alliances such as the United States and the United Kingdom, which share traditional values and culture, to check China. I will do it.