Since the early 2000s, China has come to play an ever-larger role in the economic fortunes of Australia and today, China is Australia’s largest trading partner. However, more recently, relations have hit a low point with Australia banning Huawei from Australia’s 5G network, calling for an inquiry into the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic, cancelling Belt and Road agreements and now acquiring nuclear-powered submarines from the United States. In response, China has restricted imports of Australian barley, beef, lobsters, wine and wood and placed a freeze on high-level talks.

The question now is if Australia-China relations can ever be re-set?

Our speaker…

Peter Jennings is the executive director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) a position he has held since May 2012. Peter has worked at senior levels in the Australian Public Service on defence and national security. Career highlights include being Deputy Secretary for Strategy in the Defence Department (2009-12); Chief of Staff to the Minister for Defence (1996-98) and Senior Adviser for Strategic Policy to the Prime Minister (2002-03).