The Strategic Depiction of China in Howard Government Policy
from 1996-2006
Author: Roy McDowall
Volume 5, Number 1 (Autumn 2009), pp. 85-102.
Abstract
Australia’s growing conflict of interest between security (United States) and prosperity (China) within an environment of burgeoning US-China rivalry has elevated Australia’s strategic depiction of China to a position of vital importance. This article reviews Australia’s strategic depiction of China from 1996 to 2006 and argues the Howard Government positively depicted China to disguise its strategic anxiety concerning China’s rise. Strategic depictions were a centrepiece of the Howard Government’s hedging strategy, which sought to allay Chinese fears of containment and compel greater United States involvement in the region. With US-China rivalries likely to continue in future, this article posits that friendly strategic depictions of China and hedging will remain foundational elements of Australia’s foreign policy.
About the Author
Roy McDowall is a PhD Student in the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre at the Australian National University. roy.mcdowall@anu.edu.au.
|
