Australias Relationships in the Asia-Pacific Region Change - Essay Example

Running Head: Australia-Asia Relationship [Author’s Name] [Instructor] [Date] Introduction Australian history shifted from British to United States and Asia in terms of social, political and cultural values. Elections of Australia brought a change when Labor Government, led by Chifley after Cutin death in 1945, was defeated by Liberal Government led by Menzies. This Government later turned out to be the longest ruling government and Menzies became the longest ruling Prime Minister. This gave him fame and made him a very well renowned political figure. Menzies, fearing the effects of cold war conducted a referendum to ban the Communist Party, which he failed by a slight margin. His government focus was on Higher Education and development of industries. Australian foreign policy post 1945 Australia has always take actively participate in international matters since World War II. Post WW2, our primary security concerns were derived from our geographic location, which when combined with our large area and small population and economic capacity, made it difficult to develop plan for self-defence. Similarly to the pre WW2 period, Australia relied on allied support and sought defence and security through collective security. Australian foreign policy of the 1950’s was characterised by this fear of Asia, which saw Australia strengthening its relationships with the U.S., as a means of guaranteeing security and defence against a communist enemy, and the formation of the ANZUS treaty, in 1951. ANZUS was to become the foundation stone for Australian foreign policy in years to come, and saw increased cooperation (military, economic, political and intelligence). This increased cooperation culminated with the establishment of a naval communication base in W.A. in 1963. The period of WW1 was one of great tensions and highlighted to Australia the importance of the region, but also the threats that it posed, especially Japan. Australia sought to defend itself form these threats through security arrangements with the U.K. and the U.S. Australia’s fear of Asia was consolidated by the spread of communism in Asia. The CCP came to power and proclaim the PRC and communist governments in North Korea and North Vietnam were seen as having expansionist vision. As a result, Australia took up an active role in America’s Cold War policy of containment, sending troops to the Korean War (1951) and the Vietnam War (1962), as part of pursuit of a forward defence policy. The ANZUS treaty formed in 1951 ensured assistance from the U.S. in the event of a direct threat from the region. The domino theory/effect was of primary concern to Australia as there was a widely held belief that if communism was allowed to spread, one nation after another would fall to communism, which would eventually reach Australia. During this time, Australian foreign policy sought security from threats posed by Asia, rather than acting collaboratively with Asia. The Government of Australia is passing through a crucial phase of modern history where it has to decide direction of its voyage. In order to secure its position and develop a positive image in the world especially Asian region, it has to keep in view the economic boom of China, India and other Asian countries. This is the need of time that Australia foreign policy should adapt the changes and people of Australia need to bring about cultural changes with more space for accommodating people of other nationalities. The British recognized that real influence lay in the willingness and capacity to field a large force that this could only be accomplished through a combined effort, and gave way to Australian insistence that the leading role in the force should be theirs. In 1947, Australian companies were allowed to trade with Japan under controlled arrangements. This opened many opportunities in terms of trades and this strengthened the bilateral relations between Australia and Japan. Later, in 1950, in response to balance of payments problems, Australia imposed import restrictions on imports from all countries, but the tighter controls imposed on Japanese goods caused a dramatic reduction in imports. Ultimately, after this, the next move was made by Japan and Japan seeks trade talks with Australia. Japan joined the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade; Australia (like 13 other GATT Contracting Parties) invokes Article XXXV to allow continued discrimination against Japan. In 1956 Australia and Japan signed the first post-war bilateral, intergovernmental agreement (on aviation) and commenced negotiations on an intergovernmental trade agreement. Australia lifted all Japan-specific visa restrictions imposed during and after World War II. This was a landmark and proved beneficial in reinforcing the ties between Australia and Japan. Japanese trading companies reopened their offices in Australia to take advantage of the changed trading environment. Afterward an Agreement on Commerce between the Commonwealth of Australia and Japan was signed. Australia had important interests in other countries of the Asia Pacific and other regions. The nature and the weight of these interests will was more clear in next fifteen years, as l the resources the Government committed to them.  In addition, there was no guarantee that they will always coincide with the Australia-China priorities. After World War Two, Australia began to realize the importance of maintaining strong relationships with its Pacific neighbors. The vital economic and strategic significance of Japan and Indonesia to Australia was officially recognized. This was in part done through Australia's involvement with the Association of South-East Asian (ASEAN). The Federal Government also worked hard to dispel Australia’s international reputation of being racist. Whitlam also wanted to reintroduce 'Doc' Evatt's policy of internationalism. Whitlam's term in office demonstrated another trend in foreign relations. From now on, Prime ministers were to play a major role in shaping foreign relations. Whitlam had a special interest in China. For example, Whitlam undertook Australia's first official tour of communist china. Anglophonic commonalities and Practical Regionalism The Australian Foreign policy witnessed a major change after election of Coalition Government of John Howard in the year 1996. The previous Government of Paul Keating of the Labor Part tried real hard to bring Australia and rest of the Asia in close ties. . His predecessor, Howard made the “Australian values” more or less a mirror image of Western civilization- in particular the image of Anglophonic nations 1. Howard’s policy towards Asia was on basis of mutual respect and common interest. Australian Foreign Affairs Minister, Alexander Downer, during his visit to China in 2000, made it clear that Australia will develop “Practical Regionalism” with Asian countries but not “Emotional Regionalism”. He described the incapability for the “Emotional Regionalism” since the ethnic and cultural difference with other Asian countries is the main hurdle. This stubbornly persevering difference with Asia in addition to Howard’s complete support with USA against war on terrorism again Afghanistan and Iraq gained Image of George Bush’s Deputy Sheriff in the region. This relationship has been greatly influenced by global factors including the start of Cold War, Korean War, War in Vietnam and the break up of Soviet Union. This was supplemented by internal political situation in Australia and China have both influenced and been influenced by the major changes of the World. 1. Stephen Crabbe 2007, Australia’s Relations with Asia, retrieved: 11-05-2010. It will be analyzed that Australia relation with China has always had a major political impact but as the new millennium approached economic and trade factors brought a considerable change in Australian and Chinese Politics.   The main aspect of Australian Government approach towards foreign and trade policy is the importance related to reinforced relation with other countries. Mutual relationships do not provide a different option to regional and multilateral efforts. However two sided relations, regional and multilateral efforts support the bilateral relations. When Australia works in collaboration with another country for a global cause, such as, Cause of forfeiting the Chemical Weapons, it reinforces the mutual relation with that country. In the same manner, Australia’s cooperative behavior within APEC strengthens the Australia’s relation with every individual country of APEC. These multilateral and regional efforts help the country in making the bilateral relations strong and fruitful.   During the Cold War tenure of late 1940 have and lasting into next 40 years Australian Foreign Policy in terms of relation with China after the Chinese communist birth in 1949, was influenced by the commitment against communism. Australia major role in Korean and later on Vietnam War clearly gave the image of China enmity with Australia. This was no surprise that in this period there was a considerable public with the opinion, which before Australian participation in Korean and Vietnam Wars, was due to the interest in extending closer ties with China in economic and humanitarian aspects, and was somehow affecting the political trends of Australian Government. In the election of 1972 when Whitlam of Labor Part formed government, brought the change in their policies and came up with idea of “recognition of China Policy”. Despite the fact that the Government did not lasted long, it ties with China was remarkable achievement in development of Australian international affairs. Prominent was the development of ties in the Asia Pacific Region.  The Government formed by Fraser continued with this policy and kept the importance of economic and trade aspects above ideology.  The ties with china might have been expected on political grounds but to add to it was the trend of world ideology of a global village and this resulted in devising policies on basis of economic self interest.   In order to handle the mutual ties, the Government claimed to have incorporated combined approach considering the Australian interest as major interest. But a deep and closer sight of such claim shows that it would almost be next to impossible to achieve the aim of totality of interest of Australia in any mutual ties and in case of relation with China this is completely true as there are a lot of socio-political differences in the system. These close ties give rise to so many questions that Australia face, such as Australia relation with Taiwan, Tibet and human right issues of China. In some cases Australia main interest will be restricted to trade and investment. in more cases of mutual ties, the Government will incorporate techniques which will try to keep intact Australia security, economic and political benefits with efforts to develop a broad social contact in area as education, tourism and cultural exchange. A clear approach to mutual ties involves working close with business class of Australia to increase access to the market and open opportunities for investment in trade and business. It also means developing better cooperative links with institutions in fields such as arts, sports and education. This way every aspect of bilateral relationship means something progressive and rewarding, but also helps in making a broader platform from which mutual interest and advancements can be made, hence the burgeoning of cultural links between Australia and China since 1972.   Working through mutual relation also helps the Government to devise strategies to consider national differences. This is of high priority especially in terms of regional issues. For example, East Asia is diverse and Australian policies pertaining to region must consider it. This also becomes true for Australia’s interest in ASEAN and in South Pacific. Australian Policies with reference to China, for example supporting the student protest in Tiananmen Square adversely affected the relations with China and increased the chances of antagonism from Asian countries that Australia wanted to impose its influence on other nations in the region. The meeting between John Howard and Chinese Leader Jiang Zemin was very useful in the moments when controversial human issues were at peak and when there was considerable pressure from the general public 2. The meeting concentrated on economic and trade matters. With a considerable and strong argument it reveals that Australian leaders accept that China represent communism with a capitalist face if not democratic.   The immensely increasing regionalism would certainly mean that Australia’s mutual ties partners with look into things with regional point of view and will stress upon the regional unity on similar pattern as European union is moving on, and it is possible that it become feature of Australia ties with ASEAN. Australia global interest compels Australia to deal with countries in many regions. Since each relation has importance in its own kind. 2. Stuart Doran, 2007, Full circle: Australia and Papua New Guinea 1883-1970, Dept. of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Canberra. This is not the point that Australia interest of Australia with every country are of equal importance and at the same time allocating equal resources to each of them is possible. Therefore, Australia main focus is on the countries which not only prove beneficial in economic and trading aspects, but also in creating a useful strategic environment. China is the country which has potential to become most helpful partner in trade and economic terms and also on Technological developments and advancement. Despite lot of difference still China can prove to be the most significant partner in terms of trade and strategic development.   China main targets have been security and economic developments since 1949.To achieve these targets China main focus is on its relation with superpowers since the collapse of USSR in 1989 and except Japan, due to China geographical location, China lies far from the other superpowers and this results in major changes. In 1950 China came up with opinion that majority of the Western European countries are remains of United States Imperialism, while it collated with Eastern European and Soviet Union. The end of communism left only United States as superpower. Despite the fact that China and United States want mutual trade relations, China also wants strong relations with Asian countries as well 3.   3 James Wood, 1998, The forgotten force: the Australian military contribution to the occupation of Japan, Allen & Unwin, St. Leonards. China considers developed countries important due to many reasons such as diplomatic ties, alternative resources of trade and technology to decrease dependency on the superpowers and as part of strategic policy, in 1980’s China focused on the role of progressive nations in ascertaining peace in rapidly developing polar countries 4. Australia and Canada was the main economic and trade partners, however, China’s trading relation remained focused on Japan and Europe. For major part of China’s history, it enjoyed the status of one of the major powers of the world China’s economical growth will certainly influence the security and politics of the Asia and rest of the world. It bilateral relation with Japan and United States of America will play crucial role in power balance of the Asia and ultimately Australia.   China is soon going to be among the strong economies of the world in next fifteen years, and is likely to play major role in international economy through various mutual ties and regional organizations such as WTO and APEC. China is constantly being supported by Australia for gaining access to WTO. Its fast growing economy and integration has been warmly welcomed by various countries of stable economy. It can play major role in maintaining and stabilizing the region. This is not to be forgotten that this constant Pro-China policy is at the end beneficial for Australia. This is also revealed through the statement given by Rupert Murdoch where he clearly rejected the ethical considerations in Australia’s ties with East Timor and Indonesia. 4 Neville Meaney, 2007, towards a new vision: Australia and Japan across time, University of New South Wales Press Ltd., Sydney. China is ought to face challenges, as globalization, and the difficulty of managing the world most populated country , will bring China will, however, also face challenges as globalization, and the sheer complexity of governing the world’s most populous nation, lead to pressure for change 5.Political balance will also be an important aspect to tackle and ascertain consistent and preserved economic growth and international unity. The way China manages Taiwan issue and special status of Hong Kong will have long term effects for the region, both economy wise and security wise. Australia has changed its world perspective by keeping Asian affairs as point of its concern, rather then backing out and looking at Asia with doubtful sight. The Vietnam War made Australia realized that working for the interest of Europe would bear less reward than working in the interest of larger part of Asia. The fear and lack of trust developed in South East Asian countries have paved way to the new era of support and trade. Vietnam War proved the fact that a cooperative relation is equally possible with nations has opposite ideologies. Today, almost 60 percent of Australian goods are exported to Asian Markets. Ever since the Now, almost 60 percent of all Australian exports go to Asia. Since the establishment of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), in 1989 Australia is recognized as one of the firmly established economies of the region. The aim of APEC is to make the trade easier with least possible formalities and barriers in the Pacific and is of the point of open exports and import markets between 21 member countries. 5. Christopher Waters, 1995, The Empire fractures: Anglo-Australian conflict in the 1940s, Australian Scholarly Publishing, Kew. Australia being involved economically in Eastern Asia, it has shown determination and commitment in maintaining peace and security of the region through its ties with As well as being economically involved in Eastern Asia, Australia has also shown increased commitment to the peace and security of the region through its links with Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN). ASEAN came into existence in 1960’s by Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines in order to boost economical, social, cultural and technological ties between nations of South East Asia. Later, countries like Brunei, Vietnam and Cambodia have also joined hands for collaboration. The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) came into existence in 1994 to increase and strengthen the diplomatic ties and maintain peace in the region After the incident of 9/11 Australia and other members of ARF have joined hands to improve the security further and work against terrorism. US Vice-President Dick Cheney is of the opinion that in order to “control” China, Australia, USA and Japan should form and alliance with India. Contrary to this, in East Asian Summit held in 2005 , Australia came up with an opinion that ”East Asian Community” unlike European Union should be made. It is a possibility that Australia Government under Rudd would support such grouping which involved multilateral ties, while remaining ally of USA. Rudd is of the opinion that such mind-shift can be achieved only through education- if happens-would gain a lot of support for such a move on international front. However, this won’t be possible in Government headed by Howard, who is still of the opinion of working on the pattern of USA government and who is willful to work as Deputy Sheriff for USA and depict Australia as an alien to neighboring countries. References Stephen Crabbe 2007, Australia’s Relations with Asia, retrieved: 11-05-2010: http://internationalaffairs.suite101.com/article.cfm/australias_relations_with_asia Stuart Doran, 2007, Full circle: Australia and Papua New Guinea 1883-1970, Dept. of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Canberra. Neville Meaney, 2007, towards a new vision: Australia and Japan across time, University of New South Wales Press Ltd., Sydney. Christopher Waters, 1995, The Empire fractures: Anglo-Australian conflict in the 1940s, Australian Scholarly Publishing, Kew. James Wood, 1998, The forgotten force: the Australian military contribution to the occupation of Japan, Allen & Unwin, St. Leonards. Read More