Coronavirus has reinvigorated discussions around the Sino-Australian relationship. Australia’s dependence on China highlights how interconnected we are on trade and investment (specifically, goods and services), the acquisition of key Australian assets, Australia’s reliance on China through global supply chains and exposure of Australia’s local manufacturing sector’s ability to back sovereign capability. 

The key challenge faced in our relationship is finding the right balance between protecting Australia’s economic prosperity, public health, national security and way of life whilst pushing back on China when it acts against Australia’s domestic policy objectives.