Regional Responses to U.S.-China Competition in the Indo Pacific
Abstract
This report on Australia and New Zealand is part of a project examining the perspectives of U.S. allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific as they formulate and implement their responses to Chinas more assertive foreign and security policy and to a more competitive U.S.-China relationship. Australia and New Zealand have expanded their economic ties with China, but there is growing concern in both countries about Chinas rising power and influence. Australia sees strengthening its alliance with the United States as critical to navigating an increasingly complicated regional security environment. The erosion of the relative position of the United States vis--vis China is also driving Australia to engage more directly in the region, including in the Pacific Islands. For similar reasons, New Zealand is strengthening its security ties with the United States and intensifying its regional outreach (particularly, engagement with its Pacific Island neighbors). This stepped-up engagement in the region on the part of Australia and New Zealand creates opportunities for the United States and, specifically, for the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Air Force to work with the two countries, and with other regional partners, in new and innovative ways, both operationally and using soft-power tools and approaches. The other reports in this series are available at www.rand.org/US-PRC-influence.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1118210
Entities
People
- Jennifer D. P. Moroney
- Michael S. Chase
Organizations
- RAND Corporation