German Institute for Global and Area Studies | Leibniz-Institut für Globale und Regionale Studien

German Institute for Global and Area Studies | Leibniz-Institut für Globale und Regionale Studien

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Recalibrating China Policy: Australia and New Zealand in Comparative Perspective

  • Australia and New Zealand (NZ) have in recent years been at the forefront of the growing confrontation between the ‘West’ and China. Despite very close economic ties with China, both countries have substantially changed their approaches to dealing with the People’s Republic. This research project contributes to and seeks to advance relevant academic as well as policy-oriented debates on the topic.
    GIGA, 2018-2021

    Research Questions

    Three core research questions guide this project:
    - Why and how have the two Australasian allies adjusted their China policies?
    - How have Australia and NZ, the two traditional regional powers in the South Pacific, reacted to China's increased presence in the region?
    - To what extent have Australia and NZ's China and Pacific policies differed across the two country contexts and over time?

    Contribution to International Research

    The research project is the first to examine in depth and from a comparative perspective the recent resets of China and Pacific-related policies in Australia and NZ. It contributes to extant and emerging debates in area studies and foreign policy analysis.

    Research Design and Methods

    The project is based on an intra-regional comparison and makes use of outcome-explaining process tracing in two cases as well as semi-structured elite and expert interviews in NZ conducted in 2019 and 2020.

    Preliminary Findings

    In a number of publications I took stock of and compared the Australian and NZ recalibrations of China-related policy as well as their policies towards the (South) Pacific. Australian federal state actors first embarked on a major ‘reset’ of China policy, culminating in legislation on espionage and foreign interference in 2018. After a change in government, state authorities in NZ appeared to follow Australia’s lead. However, NZ’s adjustment of China policy has been less straight-forward, more contested and overall more ambiguous. Small-state theories partly explain NZ’s more ambivalent approach. A more comprehensive understanding can be gained by reference to how NZ differs from its Tasman neighbour in terms of strategic outlook, including the paramount importance accorded to trade in its foreign affairs.

    A subsequent comparative analysis of Australia and New NZ's Pacific policies revealed that two allies' recent signature Pacific policy initiatives were aligned, reflecting shared concerns about China's growing regional presence. Yet, Australia and NZ's Pacific policies continue to diverge to some extent in the areas of security, migration and climate change policy. These divergences reflect differences between Australia and NZ in terms of geographical settings (and connected different sub-regional foci), military capabilities and alliance obligations as well as in terms of policy pathways and domestic politics.

    Project Publications

    Political Science | 10/2022

    Australia and New Zealand's Pacific Policy: Aligned, not Alike

    This article examines Australia's and New Zealand's policies towards the (South) Pacific. A context-sensitive, paired comparison reveals significant differences with respect to security and migration policies. These difference exist alongside the many similarities and joint approaches in the two Australasian countries' relations with and policies towards the Pacific.

    Prof. Dr. Patrick Köllner

    Director of the GIGA Institute for Asian Studies / Vice President

    Devpolicy Blog | 06/2022

    Australia and New Zealand in the Pacific: the Difference is Migration Policy

    Patrick Köllner contributed to the Australian National University's Crawford School of Public Policy's Devpolicy Blog, discussing the differences between Australia and New Zealand's Pacific policies in terms of migration.

    Prof. Dr. Patrick Köllner

    Director of the GIGA Institute for Asian Studies / Vice President

    Global Political Transitions | 11/2021

    Australia and New Zealand’s South Pacific Diplomacy: Seeking to Balance China’s Regional Engagement

    Prof. Dr. Patrick Köllner

    Director of the GIGA Institute for Asian Studies / Vice President

    GIGA Focus Asia | 5/2021

    Beyond “Indo-Pacific”: Understanding Small Pacific Powers on Their Own Terms

    Recently, the European Union presented its strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, which is not a coherent world region but a concept to respond to geopolitical and geo-economic dynamics linked to China’s rise. This GIGA Focus analyses the interests and concerns of the small powers in the Pacific.

    Prof. Dr. Patrick Köllner

    Director of the GIGA Institute for Asian Studies / Vice President

    GIGA Focus Asia | 2/2021

    "Micronexit" Overshadows Golden Anniversary of the Pacific Islands Forum

    The Pacific Islands Forum is facing its biggest crisis since its founding 50 years ago. Nearly one-third of its members are to leave the organization in 2022 because their candidate for secretary general was not elected in early 2021. Reforms may help to avert the "Micronexit", but challenges still abound for the Pacific’s premier regional body.

    Prof. Dr. Patrick Köllner

    Director of the GIGA Institute for Asian Studies / Vice President

    Related Content

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    France 24 | Quote | 30/11/2020

    Why China is shooting red balls at Australia

    Prof. Dr. Patrick Köllner

    Director of the GIGA Institute for Asian Studies / Vice President

    Wie Australian und China um Einfluss im Südpazifik kämpfen

    Der Tagesspiegel | Quote | 12/09/2020

    Wie Australian und China um Einfluss im Südpazifik kämpfen

    Prof. Dr. Patrick Köllner

    Director of the GIGA Institute for Asian Studies / Vice President

    Konflikt im Pazifik Inselforum. Politologe: Wichtiger klimapolitischer Akteur ist in Gefahr

    Deutschlandfunk | Interview | 20/02/2021

    Konflikt im Pazifik Inselforum. Politologe: Wichtiger klimapolitischer Akteur ist in Gefahr

    Prof. Dr. Patrick Köllner

    Director of the GIGA Institute for Asian Studies / Vice President

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