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Security & foreign policy

We asked Chinese-Australians for their views on Australia's security, partnerships with other countries, potential threats to Australia's interests, the use of Australia’s military forces and key world events.

Key Finding
90%
of Chinese-Australians see a severe downturn in the global economy as a critical threat to Australia’s vital interests in the next ten years

For Chinese-Australians, a severe downturn in the global economy consistently ranks as one of the most critical threats to Australia’s interests over the past three years.

QUESTION  Below is a list of possible threats to the vital interests of Australia in the next ten years. Do you see this as a critical threat, an important but not critical threat, or not an important threat at all?

  • Critical threat
  • An important but not critical threat
  • Not an important threat at all
  • Don’t know
  • Not sure
  1. 0%
  2. 20%
  3. 40%
  4. 60%
  5. 80%
  6. 100%
A severe downturn in the global economy
2020
41
49
10
2021
49
41
10
2022
49
41
10
Australia–China relations
2021
51
37
12
2022
37
48
15
A military conflict between the United States and China over Taiwan
2020
32
49
19
2021
37
45
17
2022
36
49
15
Foreign interference in Australian politics
2020
29
59
12
2021
35
46
19
2022
36
50
14
Climate change
2020
30
56
14
2021
43
41
16
2022
35
46
19
Political instability in the United States
2022
35
51
14
Covid-19 and other potential epidemics
2020
51
39
10
2021
56
34
10
2022
35
49
16
Cyberattacks from other countries
2020
36
48
17
2021
29
50
21
2022
32
52
16
The dissemination of false information or fake news
2020
40
46
14
2021
39
47
15
2022
32
54
14
China’s foreign policy
2022
28
53
19
North Korea’s nuclear program
2021
25
47
28
2022
27
52
22
Russia’s foreign policy
2022
25
56
19

Chinese-Australians and the broader population are most similar in their perceived threat of political instability in the United States but differ on Russia’s and China’s foreign policies.

QUESTION  Below is a list of possible threats to the vital interests of Australia in the next ten years. Do you see this as a critical threat, an important but not critical threat, or not an important threat at all?

  • Critical threat
  • An important but not critical threat
  • Not an important threat at all
  • Not sure
  1. 0%
  2. 20%
  3. 40%
  4. 60%
  5. 80%
  6. 100%
A severe downturn in the global economy
Chinese-Australians
49
41
10
Australian population
55
42
3
Australia–China relations
Chinese-Australians
37
48
15
Foreign interference in Australian politics
Chinese-Australians
36
50
14
Australian population
49
45
6
A military conflict between the United States and China over Taiwan
Chinese-Australians
36
49
15
Australian population
64
32
4
Climate change
Chinese-Australians
35
46
19
Australian population
62
27
11
Political instability in the United States
Chinese-Australians
35
51
14
Australian population
34
56
9
Covid-19 and other potential epidemics
Chinese-Australians
35
49
16
Australian population
42
48
9
Cyberattacks from other countries
Chinese-Australians
32
52
16
Australian population
64
33
3
The dissemination of false information or fake news
Chinese-Australians
32
54
14
China’s foreign policy
Chinese-Australians
28
53
19
Australian population
65
32
3
North Korea’s nuclear program
Chinese-Australians
27
52
22
Australian population
58
35
7
Russia’s foreign policy
Chinese-Australians
25
56
19
Australian population
68
26
5

Data for the broader Australian population is from the 2022 Lowy Institute Poll.

When it comes to the roles of Russia and China in world affairs, Chinese-Australians are less pessimistic than the broader population.

QUESTION  To what extent are you concerned or not concerned about…

  • Very concerned
  • Somewhat concerned
  • Not too concerned
  • Not at all concerned
  • Not sure
  1. 0%
  2. 20%
  3. 40%
  4. 60%
  5. 80%
  6. 100%
China potentially opening a military base in a Pacific Island country
Chinese-Australians
15
32
37
15
Australian population
60
28
9
3
Russia's invasion of Ukraine
Chinese-Australians
15
45
33
7
Australian population
69
23
4
3
China–Russia cooperation
Chinese-Australians
13
34
40
14
Australian population
56
31
9
4
India–Russia cooperation
Chinese-Australians
8
35
42
15
Australian population
28
44
22
6

Data for the broader Australian population is from the 2022 Lowy Institute Poll.

Chinese-Australians are evenly divided about AUKUS and its role in national and regional security.

QUESTION  Do you think AUKUS, the security partnership between Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom, will make…

  • More safe
  • Less safe
  • Makes no difference
  • Not sure
  • Never heard of AUKUS
  1. 0%
  2. 20%
  3. 40%
  4. 60%
  5. 80%
  6. 100%
Australia
Chinese-Australians
27
26
26
6
15
Australian population
52
7
22
11
8
Our region
Chinese-Australians
24
25
29
7
14
Australian population
49
8
24
11
8

Data for the broader Australian population is from the 2022 Lowy Institute Poll.

Chinese-Australians are evenly divided about the Quad and its role in national and regional security, as with AUKUS.

QUESTION  Do you think the Quad, the partnership between Australia, India, Japan and the United States, will make…

  • More safe
  • Less safe
  • Makes no difference
  • Not sure
  • Never heard of Quad
  1. 0%
  2. 20%
  3. 40%
  4. 60%
  5. 80%
  6. 100%
Australia
Chinese-Australians
33
34
32
Australian population
53
4
20
10
12
Our region
Chinese-Australians
33
35
32
Australian population
52
5
21
11
12

Data for the broader Australian population is from the 2022 Lowy Institute Poll.

When compared to the broader population, Chinese-Australians are less favourable on the issue of using Australian military forces, with the exception of fighting against violent extremist groups in the Middle East.

QUESTION  There has been some discussion about the circumstances that might justify using Australian military forces in other parts of the world. Please give your opinion about the following situations. Would you personally be in favour or against the use of Australian military forces …

  • In favour
  • Against
  • Neither in favour nor against
  • Not sure
  1. 100%
  2. 80%
  3. 60%
  4. 40%
  5. 20%
  6. 0%
  7. 20%
  8. 40%
  9. 60%
  10. 80%
  11. 100%
To stop a government from committing genocide and killing large numbers of its own people
Chinese-Australians
37
63
Australian population
19
79
To restore law and order in a Pacific nation
Chinese-Australians
41
59
Australian population
23
75
To fight against violent extremist groups in the Middle East
Chinese-Australians
47
53
Australian population
57
41
To conduct freedom of navigation naval operations in the South China Sea and other disputed areas claimed by China
Chinese-Australians
59
41
Australian population
38
60
If China invaded Taiwan and the United States decided to intervene
Chinese-Australians
64
36
Australian population
47
51
If Russia invaded one of its neighbours
Chinese-Australians
65
35
Australian population
58
40

Data for the broader Australian population is from the 2022 Lowy Institute Poll.

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Foreign interference
  1. Who did we survey? →
  2. The Australian way of life →
  3. Belonging & community →
  4. Media use & news habits →
  5. Trust in countries & world leaders →
  6. Security & foreign policy →
  7. Foreign interference →
  8. Relations with China & the US →