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1 1 (April 23, 2018)

handle is hein.crs/govciwu0001 and id is 1 raw text is: ees Researh Sevice Australia, China, and the Indo-Pacific April 23, 2018 Recent debate in Australia on regional strategic challenges has focused on China's rising influence, the durability of the U. S.-Australian alliance, and how Australia should respond and position itself relative to related changes in Indo-Pacific power dynamics. This debate is framed by increasing concern in Australia about the influence of China and those who promote its interests, despite the fact that China remains a key economic and trade partner. Australia's outlook is also affected by uncertainty about the Trump Administration's transactional approach to the alliance with Australia and U.S. engagement with the region. Australia's China Debate A 2017 Lowy Institute poll found that 77% of Australians view the alliance relationship with America as important for Australia's security while 46% said that China is likely to become a military threat to Australia in the next 20 years. The poll also found that 79% see China as more of an economic partner than military threat. Of those polled, 60% felt that President Trump causes them to have an unfavourable opinion of the United States. For many years, Australian perceptions of China, particularly among business and political elites, have been shaped by China's role as the leading destination for Australian exports. According to the Australian Trade and Investment Commission, China is Australia's number one export market, our largest source of international students, our most valuable tourism market, a maj or source of foreign direct investment and our largest agricultural goods market. The China-Australia Free Trade Agreement entered into force in 2015. The Australian Secret Intelligence Organization has pointed to the growing level of harmful espionage and foreign interference operations being carried out in Australia that have sought to obtain sensitive government and corporate information and to influence public debate. Prime Minister Turnbull introduced a legislative overhaul of intelligence and espionage laws in December 2017. These espionage, foreign interference, and foreign influence reforms would enhance existing espionage, secrecy, treason, sabotage, and related offenses, and introduce new offenses targeting these areas. China's activities in the South Pacific are raising concerns in Canberra. Reportedly, China and Vanuatu have held discussions to establish a Chinese military presence in Vanuatu, a small island nation located Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov IN10888 CRS NStGHT Prepaimed for Mernbei-s and Committees 4 o. C- --q .. . . . . . . . ...----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------