Font Size: a A A

A Research On Australian Keating Government’s "Engagement With Asia" Strategy

Posted on:2016-10-22Degree:MasterType:Thesis
Country:ChinaCandidate:H MaFull Text:PDF
GTID:2296330461455253Subject:History of international relations
Abstract/Summary:PDF Full Text Request
"Facing to Asia" and "Engagement with Asia" are the specific terms of Australian Keating government’s Asian policy and wise solutions to get out of its location and culture dilemma. It refers to that Australia has changed the previous Asia policy of ignorance and turned to develop the relations with Asia. Keating government put forward "Engagement with Asia" strategy in the early 1990s and it included a series of elaborated interpretation and action in economic, political and cultural aspects.This thesis includes 4 chapters with an introduction and a conclusion.Chapter one illustrates the Australia-Asia relations and characters in the geographic and cultural view. Australia is a Western country that is misplaced in Asia, which has affected Australian socio-culture and the Australia-Asia relations. With few links to Asia, Australia’s economy and security has depended on the United Kingdom from the late 18th century to the early 20th century. Australia rushed to build its defense and diplomacy during the two world wars and turned from the reliance on the United Kingdom to the United States and it reshaped the Australian diplomacy and identity. Australia joined the United States defense chain in Asia-Pacific during the Cold War. However, since Australian economic structure and national identity have changed and Australia-Asia economic cooperation has increased, it is inevitable for Australia to reorientate for "Engagement with Asia".Chapter two analyzes the background and motivations of Keating government’s "Engagement with Asia" strategy. The change of international situation and Asia-Pacific pattern and the Asia-Pacific strategy of US have posed challenges and opportunities for Australia in Asia. The labor government has strengthened bonds with Asia since the 1970s. The Australian economy was confronted with a pressure of slowdown and a decline of the trade cooperation with Western countries while Asia witnessed a good prospect of economic growth in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Australia turned to Asia and became more pragmatic to pursue its economic and security interest in the economic globalization and regional economy integration age.Chapter three mainly reveals the introduction, contents and manifestation of "Engagement of Asia" strategy. By inheriting Whitlam and Hawke government’s contacts with Asia, Keating government was committed to promote cooperation with Asia-improved its defense capability and bonded its ties with its neighbors; took measures to promote economic trade with Asia; concerned with the Asia cultural values and strengthened the relations through ASEAN and APEC etc. On the one hand, Keating government maintained the traditional relationships with European countries and the alliance system; on the other hand, it actively strengthened its ties with Asia in a flexible and pragmatic way, in response to the changes of power and structure in the Asia-Pacific region.Chapter four is the assessment of "Engagement with Asia". "Engagement with Asia" is a strategic concept and solution by focusing on Asia countries especially the regions with the common interest in Asia. Developing economic, political and cultural relations was a wise solution to avoid being excluded from the Asia co-prosperity sphere.This thesis argues that it is a wise strategic option,featured strategic, hierarchic and integrated, which has a great influence on Australia’s diplomacy. The critic mainly comes from Asian countries, arguing that Australia’s "Engagement with Asia" strategy is a deceptive way of pursing interests in Asia.The cooperation between Australia and Asia continues to grow and the power of Australia has been effectively promoted and so do the Australia-Asia’s interdependence and mutual benefit.In sum, Australian Keating government "Engagement with Asia" strategy emerged with the changes of the international situation and Asia-Pacific pattern in the late 1980s to early 1990s. Australia’s economic downturn and the increasing cooperation with Asian regions promoted Australia to rethink and adjust its Asia policy. Australia maintained its cultural values and the traditional ties with Western countries and took measures to strengthen its economic and political relations with Asia.As a middle power, Australian Keating government "Engagement with Asia" strategy mainly performed in economic and diplomatic aspects, including a series of objectives and elaborated practices. It features flexible, pragmatic and integrated by utilizing the advantages and limited power to get maximum benefit in Asia. The concept and practice of "Engagement with Asia" have affected Australia’s socio-culture and Australia-Asia relations.
Keywords/Search Tags:Australia, Keating Government, Asia Strategy, Engagement with Asia
PDF Full Text Request
Related items