Political and Cultural Engagement between Australia and Asia

This article discusses Australia's engagement with Asia, including its political and cultural ties with countries such as Indonesia, Japan, China, New Zealand, and Pacific. It also explores the common ambitions of Australia and New Zealand, and Australia's decision to abandon its policy of non-interference in pacific state. References are included.

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THE WORLD

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Contents
Political and Cultural engagement between Australia and Asia.............................................................2
Australia’s engagement with Indonesia.................................................................................................3
Australia’s engagement with Japan.......................................................................................................3
Australia’s engagement with China.......................................................................................................4
Australia’s engagement with New Zealand and Pacific.........................................................................4
Common ambition of Australia and New Zealand.............................................................................4
Australia’s decision to abandon a policy of non-interference in pacific state....................................5
REFERENCES......................................................................................................................................5

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Political and Cultural engagement between Australia and Asia
Different governments in Australia have made efforts to improve the political ties with
countries in the Asian region. From years Australia had strong tie-ups with the countries in
the Asian region. This is the reason why many governments have opened its gates for the
Asian migrants. Numbers of centres where Asian language is taught has increased. But in the
last few years, Australia has shifted towards America which has made their political relations
with Asia little poor. Due to increasing numbers of Asians in Australia, the local people
started to fear about their increasing political power hence conflicts among both the
communities have increased.
The cultural relationship has also strengthened between the two regions as the numbers of
people in Australia from Asian backgrounds have enhanced. This is attributed by the fact that
younger people have stronger relationship with each other than the people that were older.
The cultural exchange program at the university and college level is the major reason for this
enhancement of bond. The increase in the numbers of restaurants that serves Asian cuisine
has also been considered as one of the major reasons for it. Chinese restaurants have become
an essential part of the most of the cities in Australia (Pietsch and Aarons, 2012). Films,
literature and music of the Asian regions have also started to make its strong presence in the
Australian society. Cultural events like festivals are now celebrated by people of Australia
with their friends from Asian region.
Australia’s engagement with Indonesia
Australia has been a strong partner with Indonesia for a longer period of time. Now it has
become more essential for the Australia to have healthier relation with Indonesia. There are
economic, military and political reasons for it. Indonesia acts as a strong military importance
for Australia as it is closest to the Australian coastal region. The economic growth of
Indonesia is very fast and hence it can act as a partner for the trade. Since many powers are
emerging in this region hence Indonesia will act a strong ally to regain control in the Asia
pacific region. China is controlling the market in the Asian region hence the players like
Indonesia acts as players to control the expanding powers of China. It is also to be understood
that Indonesia and America did not have healthy relations with each other (White, 2018). In
such an environment, maintaining the balance between both the partners is a challenge for the
Australia. One of the greatest benefits with Indonesia is that it lacks in terms of political will
hence do not pose a serious threat to Australia like the other Asian partners like India and

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China could be. In the increasing power of America and their changing policies, uncertainty
in the market is obvious and hence strong allies like Indonesia could help Australia in its
growth.
Australia’s engagement with Japan
After World War II, Australia had a stronger relationship with Japan which in recent years
have become further stronger. In the 2nd half of the 20th century when the numbers of local
powers in the Asian region has increased, their ties with each other have become more
significant. Both in the era of cold war and then after, Japan and Australia needed each other
for military support. The tussle between the China and Japan over the South China Sea region
has made Australia and Japan closer. China is trying to overthrow all the existing powers in
the region hence it has become essential for Australia to have stronger allies like Japan
especially in the maritime region (Jacobs, 2017). Australia also acts as quasi-allies among
Japan and America. Three of these countries acts as a strong support to each other and
strengthen their position in the Asia pacific region. The defence deals among Australia and
Japan has enabled them to ensure the security in military terms. Both the nations are doing
joint operations with each other at both land and marine battle grounds. In future Japan and
U.S. should urge India for including Australia into their Malabar exercise. In the increasing
defence challenges of both Australia and Japan, their relationship is going to play a very
major role.
Australia’s engagement with China
The economic growth of China has become very much significant and is disturbing all the
economic super powers in the world. China is becoming a global power hence it has become
essential for the countries like Australia to reduce their ambiguity in relationship with China.
Both the countries are each other’s partners in socio and economic terms. There are large
numbers of students from China studying in Australia hence they are making a strong cultural
bond with each other. China and America is standing in front of each other which is a
problem for the Australia as they have to maintain a political relation with both the nations
(Goodman, 2017). The falling of the European Union’s economy has increased the pressure
on the Australia to make a healthier bond with China so as to maintain their growth.
Companies are disinvesting in Australia due to its high operational cost and high labour
demands. On the other hand China is known for its low priced products. In such an

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environment, Australia needs to make strong economic policies so that their trade deficit
between the two countries does not get imbalanced. China and Australia will have to
negotiate terms of partnership so as to ensure that they do not lose their share in the market.
Australia’s engagement with New Zealand and Pacific
Common ambition of Australia and New Zealand
Australia and New Zealand has been partners for two centuries. They share some of the
common history and environmental condition hence they have many common goals to
achieve. Both the nations have common responsibilities for the development of the region
and will have to ensure each other’s security concerns. Apart from this they also need to run
programmes together on the sector like security, health and education (Lawson, 2017). Up
lifting the standards of the indigenous people is also a common challenge for both the
countries. Both the nations have the responsibility to ensure the development of other
islanders and ensure development of the region in political, economic, social, trade
perspective. Since this region is extremely rich in aquatic life hence they aim to tackle
environmental situations on a common platform.
Australia’s decision to abandon a policy of non-interference in pacific state
Australia abandoned its policy of non-interference in the pacific state as there were many
external players that started taking interest in the region. It was found that US interest in the
region had increased in the Trump presidency hence Australia for its own security has to
interfere in the matters of other island countries such as Western Polynesia and Melanesia
(Lawson, 2017). This is also necessary for ensuring dominance in the region. Other regional
countries require support from bigger powers like Australia and New Zealand or otherwise
they may seek support from other countries. This might create challenges for the political
stability in the region.

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REFERENCES
Goodman, D. S. (2017). Australia and the China threat: Managing ambiguity. The Pacific
Review, 30(5), 769-782.
Jacobs, E. M. (2017). Special relations, strategic locations: Prospects for the Japan-Australia
security relationship. Policy: A Journal of Public Policy and Ideas, 33(2), 24.
Lawson, S. (2017). Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands forum: A critical
review. Commonwealth & Comparative Politics, 55(2), 214-235.
Pietsch, J. and Aarons, H., (2012) Australian Engagement with Asia: Towards closer
political, economic and cultural ties. Retrieved from:
http://press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/p210621/pdf/book.pdf?referer=101
White, H., (2018) Australia and Indonesia: Can we be friends?: Australian Foreign Affairs.
Black Inc.