During Xi Jinping’s opening address at the Communist Party’s 19th National Party Congress last week, the Chinese president outlined his vision of a “new era” for China – one that will see “China moving closer to centre stage”.

China’s economic and foreign policies have significant implications for Australia. More than 30% of our exports go to China, more than 1 million Chinese tourists visit Australia every year, and about 30% of international students in Australia are Chinese, contributing billions to the economy.

It is obvious that Australia needs to maintain a strong relationship with China as it transitions to a “new era”. But the relationship is often complicated by the perception that Australia needs to choose between our military ally, the US, and our biggest trading partner, China.

William Isdale spoke with Bates Gill, professor of Asia-Pacific strategic studies at Macquarie University, about Australia’s complex relationship with China and how we must adapt to meet China’s evolving needs. Gill recently co-authored a book, China Matters: Getting it Right for Australia, which explores the importance of the relationship between the two countries.

Subscribe to The Conversation’s Speaking With podcast on iTunes, or follow on Tunein Radio.

Additional Audio

• The New York Times - Environmental Cost of China’s Growth
• Senator Marco Rubio speaking on the U.S. Senate floor
• ABC - Australia’s relationship with China explained
• CGTN - Australia welcomes wave of Chinese travelers seeking new experiences
• CNN - Anti-Japanese protests rage in China
• Al Jazeera/Counting The Cost - Australia and China: Turning the page
• PBS Newshour - Sudden Chinese currency devaluation
• ABC News - Bloody Riots in China Leave 156 Dead
• Al Jazeera - Chinese troops out in force in Xinjiang
• ABC - Australia in firing line if US and China go to war

Music

• Harvest of Tea Music by: 我是愛音樂的徐夢圓 Performed by: 辰小弦
• Wysteria by: Blue Dot Sessions
• Loco Lobo - Rice Fields Crop
• Loco Lobo - Little Robots Army

William Isdale does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.