ABSTRACT
Australia and China have maintained diplomatic relations since 1972. Although occasionally quite volatile this relationship has, during the last 30 years, been generally positive. In reviewing political relations over the last 30 years, the question which needs to be asked is how equitable has this arrangement been? Is the Australia-China relationship one of partners or one characterised by the unequal domination of one country over the other? This chapter aims to analyse Australia’s political relations with China over this period, 1972 to 2002, with these question uppermost in mind. It will summarise the history of the relationship over these 30 years and it will take up some of the issues that emerged as important during that period. It will argue that, considering how different the two countries are in terms of culture, size, population, history, political system and ideology, what is striking is how good the relationship has been over the 30-year period under consideration here. It can justifiably be called a partnership for many of those 30 years. However, the relationship is hardly an equal one, and has become more unequal with the passage of time.
