The majority of Australians consider China a “security threat”: polls

According to new figures from the Lowy Institute, the majority of Australians now see China as a “safer threat” to the country.

A survey found that 63% of Australia were wary of China. This is a “significant” increase of 22 points from last year.

Meanwhile, only 34% said they consider China to be Australia’s “more economical partner.” This is very different from the 82% in 2018.

In addition, the number of people under the age of 30 who see China as Australia’s economic partner tended to decline from 87% in 2018 to 51%.

According to the Lowy Institute website, “The sharp decline in relations between Australia and China in recent years is clearly reflected in Australian opinion, as seen in a series of Lowy Institute polls.”

Protesters will raise the panel at the “No Beijing 2022” rally held in Melbourne, Australia on June 23, 2021. (Epoch Times)

“Confidence, warmth and confidence in China and its leaders began to decline in 2017. This year’s results are the lowest ever for Australians to view China.

“By 2021, even the historically positive view of China’s economic growth for Australians has now shifted to the negative territory.”

The Lowy Institute attributed the negative changes in public opinion to China to a year called the “political controversy” between Australia and Beijing.

Last year, Beijing lifted sanctions on certain exports in retaliation against Australia, calling for an investigation into the origin of COVID-19, a disease caused by the CCP virus from Wuhan, China.

Farther, Almost all Australians (93%) attributed their negative views on China to military activity in the region, up 14 points from 2016. 5% say China’s military activity has a positive impact.

PLA Chinese soldiers wear protective masks as they march after a ceremony commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Korean War at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on October 23, 2020. .. (Kevin Frayer / Getty Images)

“This concern about military activity may have contributed to a significant increase in the number of Australians who see the” military conflict between the United States and China over Taiwan “as a significant threat to Australia’s significant interests over the next decade. There is. ” Lowy Laboratory.

The majority of Australians (56 percent) also blame China for tensions between Canberra and Beijing.

The view that China is a security threat has also been on a consistent upward trend since 2018 among Labor, Liberal, Greens, nations, independents, and independent voters.

Lowy Institute Survey also revealed Many Australians born in Asian countries see China as a security threat to Australia, increasing from 14% in 2018 to 44% in 2021.