Recalibrating China Policy: Australia and New Zealand in Comparative Perspective
Recalibrating China Policy: Australia and New Zealand in Comparative Perspective
Australia and New Zealand (NZ) have in recent years been at the forefront of the growing confrontation between the ‘West’ and China. Despite very close economic ties with China, both countries have substantially changed their approaches to dealing with the People’s Republic. This research project contributes to and seeks to advance relevant academic as well as policy-oriented debates on the topic. GIGA, 2018-2021
Direktor des GIGA Instituts für Asien-Studien / Vice President
Forschungsfragen
Three core research questions guide this project: - Why and how have the two Australasian allies adjusted their China policies? - How have Australia and NZ, the two traditional regional powers in the South Pacific, reacted to China's increased presence in the region? - To what extent have Australia and NZ's China and Pacific policies differed across the two country contexts and over time?
Beitrag zu internationaler Forschung
The research project is the first to examine in depth and from a comparative perspective the recent resets of China and Pacific-related policies in Australia and NZ. It contributes to extant and emerging debates in area studies and foreign policy analysis.
Forschungsdesign und Methoden
The project is based on an intra-regional comparison and makes use of outcome-explaining process tracing in two cases as well as semi-structured elite and expert interviews in NZ conducted in 2019 and 2020.
Vorläufige Ergebnisse
In a number of publications I took stock of and compared the Australian and NZ recalibrations of China-related policy as well as their policies towards the (South) Pacific. Australian federal state actors first embarked on a major ‘reset’ of China policy, culminating in legislation on espionage and foreign interference in 2018. After a change in government, state authorities in NZ appeared to follow Australia’s lead. However, NZ’s adjustment of China policy has been less straight-forward, more contested and overall more ambiguous. Small-state theories partly explain NZ’s more ambivalent approach. A more comprehensive understanding can be gained by reference to how NZ differs from its Tasman neighbour in terms of strategic outlook, including the paramount importance accorded to trade in its foreign affairs.
A subsequent comparative analysis of Australia and New NZ's Pacific policies revealed that two allies' recent signature Pacific policy initiatives were aligned, reflecting shared concerns about China's growing regional presence. Yet, Australia and NZ's Pacific policies continue to diverge to some extent in the areas of security, migration and climate change policy. These divergences reflect differences between Australia and NZ in terms of geographical settings (and connected different sub-regional foci), military capabilities and alliance obligations as well as in terms of policy pathways and domestic politics.
This article examines Australia's and New Zealand's policies towards the (South) Pacific. A context-sensitive, paired comparison reveals significant differences with respect to security and migration policies. These difference exist alongside the many similarities and joint approaches in the two Australasian countries' relations with and policies towards the Pacific.
Patrick Köllner contributed to the Australian National University's Crawford School of Public Policy's Devpolicy Blog, discussing the differences between Australia and New Zealand's Pacific policies in terms of migration.
Kürzlich präsentierte die EU ihre Strategie für Zusammenarbeit im Indo-Pazifik. Das Konzept des Indo-Pazifiks gilt als Antwort auf die geopolitischen und geoökonomischen Dynamiken durch den Aufstieg Chinas. Dieser GIGA Focus analysiert die Interessen und Sorgen von kleinen Mächten in der Region.
Das Pazifische Inselforum steckt in der größten Krise seit seiner Gründung vor 50 Jahren. Fast ein Drittel der Mitglieder wollen die Organisation 2022 verlassen, da ihr Kandidat für das Amt des Generalsekretärs nicht gewählt wurde. Durch Reformen könnte der „Mikronexit“ verhindert werden, doch es gibt weitere Herausforderungen.
PSA Annual International Conference 2020, Edinburgh International Convention Centre and Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, Edinburgh
Organisation: Political Studies Association
Prof. Dr. Patrick Köllner (Vortragende:r)
Changing Asia 2019: Perspectives on Regional and Global Cooperation, Beijing
Organisation: German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA), 外交学院, Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, University of Virginia, Zeit-Stiftung Ebelin und Gerd Bucerius
Prof. Dr. Patrick Köllner (Vortragende:r)
PSA Annual International Conference 2021, Online event, Belfast
Organisation: Political Studies Association, Queen's University Belfast
Prof. Dr. Patrick Köllner (Vortragende:r)
Patrick Köllner was quoted at length in an article of the German business newspaper Handelsblatt on the China factor in the Australian federal election.
Direktor des GIGA Instituts für Asien-Studien / Vice President
Führungsakademie der Bundeswehr (FueAk) | 18.08.2022
Die Pazifikpolitik Australiens und Neuseelands
Organisation: Führungsakademie der Bundeswehr (FueAk)
Prof. Dr. Patrick Köllner (Vortragende:r)
As part of a geopolitical seminar at the Bundeswehr Command and Staff College (Führungsakademie) on regional dynamics in the South Pacific, Patrick Köllner spoke about Australia and New Zealand's Pacific policies.
2022 PSA Annual Conference, University of York / hybrid, York
Organisation: Political Studies Association, Universität York, Sage publishing
Prof. Dr. Patrick Köllner (Vortragende:r)
Patrick Köllner participated in the 2022 annual conference of the UK Political Studies Association in York and gave a talk there exploring differences in Australia and New Zealand's Pacific policies in the areas of security and migration.
To Reset or Not to Reset? Making Sense of New Zealand's Shifting China Policy, Otago
Organisation: University of Otago, German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA)
Prof. Dr. Patrick Köllner (Vortragende:r)
Direktor des GIGA Instituts für Asien-Studien / Vice President
Konferenz | 21.10.2019 - 23.10.2019
ASPI-KAS Roundtable on China, Berlin and Brussels
ASPI-KAS Roundtable on China, Berlin and Brussels
Organisation: Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V.
Prof. Dr. Patrick Köllner (Panelbeitragende:r)
Direktor des GIGA Instituts für Asien-Studien / Vice President
Konferenz | 20.09.2019
Germany-New Zealand Track II Roundtable
Germany-New Zealand Track II Roundtable, New Zealand Embassy in Berlin, Berlin
Organisation: Neuseeländische Botschaft in Berlin
Prof. Dr. Patrick Köllner (Panelbeitragende:r)
PSA Annual International Conference 2020, Edinburgh International Convention Centre and Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, Edinburgh
Organisation: Political Studies Association
Prof. Dr. Patrick Köllner (Vortragende:r)
Changing Asia 2019: Perspectives on Regional and Global Cooperation, Beijing
Organisation: German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA), 外交学院, Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, University of Virginia, Zeit-Stiftung Ebelin und Gerd Bucerius
Prof. Dr. Patrick Köllner (Vortragende:r)
PSA Annual International Conference 2021, Online event, Belfast
Organisation: Political Studies Association, Queen's University Belfast
Prof. Dr. Patrick Köllner (Vortragende:r)
Patrick Köllner was quoted at length in an article of the German business newspaper Handelsblatt on the China factor in the Australian federal election.
Direktor des GIGA Instituts für Asien-Studien / Vice President
Führungsakademie der Bundeswehr (FueAk) | 18.08.2022
Die Pazifikpolitik Australiens und Neuseelands
Organisation: Führungsakademie der Bundeswehr (FueAk)
Prof. Dr. Patrick Köllner (Vortragende:r)
As part of a geopolitical seminar at the Bundeswehr Command and Staff College (Führungsakademie) on regional dynamics in the South Pacific, Patrick Köllner spoke about Australia and New Zealand's Pacific policies.
2022 PSA Annual Conference, University of York / hybrid, York
Organisation: Political Studies Association, Universität York, Sage publishing
Prof. Dr. Patrick Köllner (Vortragende:r)
Patrick Köllner participated in the 2022 annual conference of the UK Political Studies Association in York and gave a talk there exploring differences in Australia and New Zealand's Pacific policies in the areas of security and migration.
To Reset or Not to Reset? Making Sense of New Zealand's Shifting China Policy, Otago
Organisation: University of Otago, German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA)
Prof. Dr. Patrick Köllner (Vortragende:r)
Direktor des GIGA Instituts für Asien-Studien / Vice President
Konferenz | 21.10.2019 - 23.10.2019
ASPI-KAS Roundtable on China, Berlin and Brussels
ASPI-KAS Roundtable on China, Berlin and Brussels
Organisation: Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V.
Prof. Dr. Patrick Köllner (Panelbeitragende:r)
Direktor des GIGA Instituts für Asien-Studien / Vice President
Konferenz | 20.09.2019
Germany-New Zealand Track II Roundtable
Germany-New Zealand Track II Roundtable, New Zealand Embassy in Berlin, Berlin
Organisation: Neuseeländische Botschaft in Berlin
Prof. Dr. Patrick Köllner (Panelbeitragende:r)
PSA Annual International Conference 2020, Edinburgh International Convention Centre and Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, Edinburgh
Organisation: Political Studies Association
Prof. Dr. Patrick Köllner (Vortragende:r)
Changing Asia 2019: Perspectives on Regional and Global Cooperation, Beijing
Organisation: German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA), 外交学院, Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, University of Virginia, Zeit-Stiftung Ebelin und Gerd Bucerius
Prof. Dr. Patrick Köllner (Vortragende:r)
PSA Annual International Conference 2021, Online event, Belfast
Organisation: Political Studies Association, Queen's University Belfast
Prof. Dr. Patrick Köllner (Vortragende:r)
