An Essay on Australia's International Relations and Alliances

This essay provides a comprehensive analysis of Australia's international relations, exploring its evolving relationships with key regional and global partners. The essay begins by examining the historical and contemporary dynamics of Australia's engagement with Asia, highlighting the shifts in cultural and political ties, the impact of globalization, and the role of initiatives like the National Asian Languages Study in Australian schools program. It then delves into Australia's relationship with Indonesia, assessing its potential for growth and the strategic implications of their proximity. The essay also investigates the strong partnership between Australia and Japan, including the economic and security dimensions of their alliance, and the role of the United States. Furthermore, it addresses the potential threat posed by China's military build-up and its implications for regional security. Finally, the essay explores Australia and New Zealand's collaborative approach to the Pacific Island countries, their shared ambitions for regional development, and the challenges they face in addressing issues like climate change. The essay draws on several sources to support its arguments and provide a nuanced understanding of Australia's place in the world.

Running head: ENGLISH ASSIGNMENT
ENGLISH ASSIGNMENT
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1
ENGLISH ASSIGNMENT
Part A
Australia and Asia had an earlier relationship which was unstable in nature. However,
the relationship between both the countries started repairing after the war and they have been
able to maintain both cultural as well as political engagement with each other. Globalisation
has also contributed to the formation of this relationship. The most important program that
had been initiated to strengthen the engagement between Asia and Australia is the National
Asian Languages Study in Australian schools program which is also known as NALSAS
(Pietsch, J., & Aarons, 2013). Australia was also accepting a large number of immigrants
from the country of Asia which helped in further solidifying the relationship between the
countries. However, there have been many resistance on the part of the public of Asia about
Australia being a part of the country of Asia as it had strong ties with Britain and the United
States. This has caused many public resistance as well and the country had to face immense
criticisms. Gradually, the countries have been able to build strong bonds which also
contributed a growth in the corporate relationships. Australia and Asia have also been
influenced by each other's culture which has been quite visible in the people of the countries.
Part B
Indonesia has the potential to become the fourth largest country in the world by the
year 2050 and the fifth largest economy in the world by the year 2040. Australia could have
their hopes on Indonesia and could be very important for them since Indonesia is growing at a
rapid rate. However, seeing today's condition it might not seem like the country has the
potential for growth in the near future. Indonesia has always been a liability for Australia and
the country has never seen Indonesia as a threat of any kind. Indonesia has always been a
protective shield for Australia and stopped any approaches of the countries in the northern
part (White, 2018). Therefore, Indonesia is the only country who has the potential to threat

2
ENGLISH ASSIGNMENT
and save Australia at the same time. The proximity of the two countries would naturally mean
that their interest would align with each other but not at all times. Therefore, the growing
power in Indonesia could be a good and bad factor for Australia depending on the relation
that the closeness have formed between the two countries. This can make Indonesia an ally of
Australia which could be beneficial for the country in their future.
Part C
Australia and Japan has a strong partnership which continued for a long time and is
still existent. The common ally between the two countries is the United States. The
relationship between both the countries was forged due to their economic compatibility and
engagement. The relationship was further deepened when the Economic Partnership
Agreement in the year 2014 which forged a strong relationship between Canberra and Tokyo.
However, despite the strong ally. Both the countries faced a shot back in the high-level
security front. The security ties between the countries were limited due to the proper
strategically formation of security that would be helpful for both the countries. The first step
towards the security relationship began when the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the
Japan Self-Defence Force (JSDF) came to work together to form a framework in a
multilateral level which would help in disaster relief operations and peacekeeping all over the
world (Jacobs, 2017). This initiative of both the countries helped in taking strong steps in the
formation of security relationships which later on contributed to the formation of a strong
bond in every aspect between the two countries. Even though there were a few setbacks in the
security relationships of Japan and Australia, however, they were short-term and the countries
were able to solve the issue.

3
ENGLISH ASSIGNMENT
Part D
China might have the potential to become a regional threat due to the military build-
up that has been occurring and developing in the country in due course. Even though China
has always been seen as a peaceful country, however, there have been instances where the
threat that it could possess to the world have been seen by many countries. The Chinese
military have impressively shown a growth in the last few years both in the matter of quantity
and quality which can be a cause for unrest among all the other countries (Goodman, 2017).
If China itself feels threatened by another country, they have the potential and the power to
launch a war which could be a huge threat to security. However, in the scenario that they
directly do not face a threat from any other nations, but they have been continuous investment
in their military and ammunition aspects which makes the world think that they might be
bracing themselves for a war. The balance of the regional military has seen a risk due to this
improvement and development in the projection of power that is shown by China in the
current times. Therefore, it can be said that China may provide to be a threat for regional
security.
Part E
1. Australia and New Zealand have collectively lead forward to the treatment that they would
have towards the pacific island countries and neighbours. Their common ambition is to bring
changes and develop their neighbours and create the first major organisation in the region
which is known as the SPC or South Pacific Commission (Lawson, 2017). They wanted to be
a combined unit in creating the British Oceania which would bring about a political
regionalisation. This ambition has been reflected in every initiative taken by the two countries
for a long time which makes it clear to the world about the seriousness of their ambition.

4
ENGLISH ASSIGNMENT
2. The Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF) initiated that there would be no
interference from the developed countries in their operations and decisions (Lawson, 2017).
This would also help in strengthening the voice of the Pacific countries. This also means that
countries such as Australia and New Zealand would have to take in seriousness the policies
that are formed by PIDF such as climate change. However, Australia have not taken any
measure to address the issue seriously which have led to many accusations being made on the
country. This continuous criticism faced by Australia have led them to abandon the no-
interference policy of the Pacific Islands Development Forum.

5
ENGLISH ASSIGNMENT
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., & Aarons, H. (2013). Australian engagement with Asia: Towards closer political,
economic and cultural ties. Australia: Identity, Fear and Governance in the 21st
Century. ANU Press, (33-46).
White, H. (2018). The Jakarta switch: Why Australia needs to pin its hopes (not fears) on a
great and powerful Indonesia. Australian Foreign Affairs, (3), 7.