Why Australia is cautious about the Belt and Road

Australia has been vacillating over strengthening its ties with China, seemingly unsure of whether that will somehow compromise its security or bring welcome economic benefits. Yet while there is nothing to suggest China is a threat to Australia, they do have complementary economic structures and Canberra's plans to develop northern Australia and Australia's infrastructure could make great progress through cooperation with China's Belt and Road Initiative (the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road).

However, Canberra's suspicions about China's intentions mean it views the Belt and Road Initiative and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank as tools for China to expand its geopolitical power in the Pacific Rim through trade. And it fears that participation in the Belt and Road Initiative might harm its alliance with the United States.

Since US President Donald Trump took office in 2017, the US has sought to enhance its position of power worldwide, not least by strengthening its Asia-Pacific alliance network, which includes Australia, as a means to project its power and contain China's influence. The US and Australia, based on similar ideologies and culture, have formed close US-Australia relations, which has prompted Canberra to keep pace with Washington in its stance toward China.