Phar, Kim Beng and Hamzah, Luthfy (2026) Canberra is still wary of China: Malaysia and ASEAN understand Australia's concerns. Awani International, NA (NA). pp. 1-6.
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Abstract
This article examines Australia's evolving strategic perceptions of China and their implications for Malaysia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It argues that Canberra's growing caution towards Beijing cannot be understood solely through the lens of alliance politics or geopolitical containment, but must be situated within Australia's experiences of economic vulnerability, foreign interference concerns, maritime encounters, and China's expanding military reach across the Indo-Pacific. Although economic interdependence between Australia and China remains substantial, the article contends that commercial ties have not eliminated strategic uncertainty or reduced concerns over national sovereignty and regional security. These developments have contributed to Australia's reassessment of its defence posture, including greater emphasis on deterrence, resilience, maritime surveillance, long-range capabilities, and security partnerships such as AUKUS. The article further examines Malaysia and ASEAN's perspectives, arguing that Southeast Asian states may not fully share Canberra's strategic assessments but nevertheless understand the underlying concerns shaping Australian policy. Rather than adopting binary geopolitical alignments, Malaysia and ASEAN continue to prioritise strategic flexibility, inclusive regionalism, dialogue, and confidence-building measures. Ultimately, the article argues that managing Australia–China competition requires greater transparency, diplomatic engagement, and effective regional institutions to prevent strategic rivalry from transforming Southeast Asia and the wider Indo-Pacific into arenas of sustained geopolitical confrontation.
| Item Type: | Article (Electronic Media) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Australia–China relations; ASEAN; Malaysia; strategic perception; economic interdependence; strategic autonomy; Indo-Pacific; AUKUS; maritime security; deterrence; inclusive regionalism; geopolitical competition |
| Subjects: | J Political Science > JZ International relations |
| Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button): | International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization (ISTAC) Office of the Rector |
| Depositing User: | Mr Muhammad Syameer Luthfy Bin Hamzah |
| Date Deposited: | 21 Jul 2026 16:38 |
| Last Update: | 21 Jul 2026 16:38 |
| Queue Number: | 2026-07-Q4202 |
| URI: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/130103 |
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