Asymmetric relations and systemic misperceptions: Why and how Australia and China talk past each other.

This article analyzes the recent tensions between Australia and China through the lens of asymmetric theory, emphasizing how disparities in power, strategic priorities, and perceptions contribute to mutual misinterpretations. China, as a rising global power, focuses primarily on its great power competition with the United States and global ambitions, often overlooking Australia's regional security concerns and desire for strategic autonomy. Conversely, Australia, a middle power in the Indo-Pacific, is highly sensitive to China's regional assertiveness and perceives Beijing's actions as direct threats, partly due to its close alliance with the U.S. This asymmetry in attention and priorities fuels a cycle of mistrust, with China viewing Australia as a U.S. proxy and Australia fearing China's expansionism, complicating efforts toward rapprochement despite strong economic interdependence. The article advances asymmetric theory by explaining how differing focal points at global and regional levels underpin the persistent misperceptions and strategic dilemmas in Australia–China relations.