In 2026, 54% say Australia should be working with allies to deter China’s use of military force.

On Australia’s foreign policy towards China, Australians say they support firm positions on human rights and deterrence. A clear majority of Australians (62%) say we should be doing more to pressure China to improve human rights, while 28% say we should be doing ‘about the same’ as we are now. A smaller majority (54%) say we should be doing more to work with allies in deterring China’s use of military force, down six points from last year, while 34% say we should be doing ‘about the same’ as we are now.

Two-way trade between Australia and China reached $325 billion in 2025, making China Australia’s largest trading partner by a wide margin. This year’s Poll found strong support for the trade relationship, with significant numbers of Australians saying we should be trading with China ‘about the same’ as we are now (44%) or trading ‘more’ (33%). A minority (22%) say we should be trading ‘less’ with China. Investment from China elicits lower levels of support. Only 22% of Australians say we should be attracting ‘more’ investment from China, while 28% say it should remain ‘about the same’ as it is now. Almost half of Australians (48%) say we should attract ‘less’ investment from China.