Australia-China ties are frayed, but Canberra’s softening relations with Southeast Asia more of a worry: former PM Rudd
- Rudd says Canberra has put more emphasis on collaboration with the US amid Beijing’s rise than on engagement with its regional neighbours
- This needs to be stepped up, he says, noting that ‘the fulcrum of Australia’s long-term strategic interests in Southeast Asia’ is its relationship with Indonesia
23:20
Talking Post: Kevin Rudd unpacks the risk of war between China and the US with Yonden Lhatoo
Since the fallout, China has disrupted trade with Australia while Canberra has shored up its alliances with allies such as Washington and London. Under the recent Aukus security pact, the US and Britain will help Australia acquire nuclear-powered submarines, in what is seen as an effort to counter Beijing.
Rudd said Australia’s encounters with China were not unique as many American allies in East Asia had a “parallel dilemma”.
“In terms of the management … of Australia’s strategic interests, my argument has always been that we need to balance both our continued military collaboration with the US, who have been close allies of ours for about 100 years, [and] at the same time, deepen our diplomatic and economic engagement with all countries within the region,” he said.
