China
As Australia’s relationship with China has declined, public opinion towards China has fallen sharply. In recent years, Australians have increasingly viewed China’s economic growth as a negative, while they have historically been concerned about China’s human rights record and military.
Trust, warmth and confidence in China and China’s leader started to decline in 2017, and continue to remain at record lows in 2022. In 2022, a substantial number of Australians are concerned about China becoming a military threat to Australia. Setting a new record by some margin, three-quarters of Australians (75%) say it is very or somewhat likely that China will become a military threat to Australia in the next 20 years, an increase of 29 points since 2018.
In February 2022, the leaders of Russia and China held a high-level summit, prior to Russia invading Ukraine. Most Australians (87%) say they are concerned about China–Russia cooperation, with a majority (56%) saying they are ‘very concerned’ about the relationship between the two countries.
Most Australians continue to hold very low levels of trust in China, with 12% saying they trust China somewhat or a great deal, a 40-point decrease since 2018. Only 11% of Australians say they have a lot or some confidence in President Xi Jinping to do the right thing regarding world affairs. This figure has halved since 2020 (22%) and has fallen by 32 points since 2018 (43%).
As well as a military threat, many Australians see China as a security threat. In 2022, two-thirds of Australians (63%) say China is ‘more of a security threat’ to Australia, while 33% say China is ‘more of an economic partner’ to Australia. Both of these figures have not changed since 2021.
As Australians are increasingly concerned about potential conflict in the region, a bare majority (51%) say that Australia should remain neutral in the event of a military conflict between China and the United States. This figure has fallen six points since 2021. Almost half (46%) say Australia should support the United States in such a conflict, a five-point increase from last year. Only 1% say Australia should support China.
As in 2021, there is a generational difference on this question. More than half the population aged over 45 (55%) say Australia should support the United States, while only 36% of Australians aged 18–44 agree with that approach. Younger Australians are more likely to say Australia should remain neutral, with six in ten Australians aged 18–44 (60%) choosing this position. Only 43% of Australians aged 45 and over prefer neutrality.
As Australians increasingly express concern about a potential conflict between the United States and China over Taiwan, a slim majority of Australians (51%) would favour using the Australian military ‘if China invaded Taiwan and the United States decided to intervene’. This marks an eight-point increase since the question was last asked in 2019.
54 questions match this theme
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World leaders and countries
Confidence in world leaders
How much confidence you have in the following leader to do the right thing regarding world affairs?
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World leaders and countries
Australia's best friend in Asia
Which one of the following countries is Australia’s best friend in Asia?
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World leaders and countries
Australia's best friend in the world
Which one of the following countries is Australia’s best friend in the world?
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Security and defence
Foreign influence in Australian politics
Are you personally concerned or not concerned about the influence of each of the following countries on Australia’s political processes?
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Covid-19 pandemic
Global responses to Covid-19
Overall, how well or badly do you think each of the following countries have handled the Covid-19 pandemic so far?
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Security and defence
Military conflict between China and United States
In the event of a military conflict between China and United States, please say which one of the following statements comes closest to your own personal view.
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China
Potential Chinese military base in the Pacific
To what extent are you concerned or not concerned about China potentially opening a military base in a Pacific Island country?
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Security and defence
Russia's invasion of Ukraine
To what extent are you concerned or not concerned about Russia's invasion of Ukraine?
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Security and defence
Threats to Australia's vital interests
Do you see the following possible threat as a critical threat, an important but not critical threat, or not an important threat to Australia's vital interests in the next ten years?
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Security and defence
Use of Australian military forces
Would you personally be in favour or against the use of Australian military forces:
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China
Attending the Winter Olympics in China
The Winter Olympics are scheduled to be held in China in 2022. Do you think Australia should attend the Winter Olympics, or not attend because of China’s human rights record?
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China
Australian media reporting about China
Overall, would you say Australian media reporting about China is:
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Climate change and energy
Climate change efforts by country
For each of these countries, do you think they have done too much, too little, or about the right amount in their effor to combat climage change?
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Economic and trade policy
Foreign investment by country
Are you in favour or opposed to a company, bank or investment fund controlled by the following foreign governments buying a controlling stake in a major Australian company?
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Relations with the US and China
Good relations with the US and China
Is it possible to have good relations with both the United States and China?
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China
Tensions in the Australia-China relationship
Which country is more to blame for the tensions in the Australia-China relationship?
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China
Views of China
For each of the following factors, please say whether, for you personally, they have a positive or negative influence on your overall view of China.