China’s growing power is something with which every country in the Indo-Pacific region must contend; it is having an increasing influence on both strategic and domestic policymaking.

In Australia, it is evident in recent controversies surrounding Chinese government-linked donations to political parties and calls for politicians to be better-informed regarding security issues in the region. More broadly, China’s influence is complicating Australia’s traditional strategic posture. Given that, the upcoming foreign policy white paper is an opportunity for the government to articulate its strategy to deal with this influence.

The Head of the National Security College at the Australian National University, Professor Rory Medcalf, sat down with Zoe Glasson of the AIIA’s National Office to discuss these issues.

Interviewed by Zoe Glasson

Filmed by Steven Warwick