In 2022, 60% of Australians were very concerned about about China potentially opening a military base in a Pacific Islands country.

The vast majority of Australians (87%) say they are ‘very concerned’ or ‘somewhat concerned’ about China potentially opening a military base in a Pacific Islands country. While the overall result is the same as for a similar question asked in 2022 (88%), the number who say they are ‘very concerned’ fell by 18 points.

In a different question posed in 2019, a smaller majority of Australians (55%) said China opening a military base in a Pacific Islands country would pose a critical threat to Australia’s vital interests in the next ten years.