比較澳洲與新加坡處理中國經貿關係手法的異同

Comparing Australia and Singapore’s Approach to Economic Relations with China

澳洲與新加坡發展和中國關係都是基於經貿的需求，獲取中國提供的機會進行貿易與投資。儘管如此，澳星兩國也都須要他國的軍事支持與安全維護。雖然在運作環境裡毫無疑問地澳星皆須要中國的經貿商機，但是兩國卻由於政治結構、利益團體、意識形態、歷史經驗與決策制訂者的心理傾向的不同，在處理與中國的經貿關係上卻有細微的差異。
澳星兩國與中國建立外交關係幾乎有20年的差距，前者在1972年就承認了中華人民共和國，而後者則遲至1990年始建交。這兩國處理和中國的經貿關係亦有所不同。澳星都深知中國可為本國帶來經濟繁榮，也都致力於發展與深化和中國的雙邊經貿合作，但溫度卻有所差異。本文將首先概要列舉澳星兩國處理和中國的經貿關係的手法，然後再以比較的方法剖析兩者的運作環境與心理環境的差異。從運作環境與心理環境來分析中國對澳星兩國的經濟利益至為重要，但由於心理障礙，澳洲處理和中國合作的方法卻明顯地與新加坡不同。所以，澳中關係常會出現起伏不定的現象，而星中雙邊關係則相對穩定，新加坡對中國合作持續地維持恆定的熱度。

Australia and Singapore’s relationship with China is both based on the economic need to capitalise on the trade and investment opportunities China offers. Nonetheless, they both also require other countries’support for their military capabilities and security position. Whilst the operational environment clearly demonstrates the need for China’s economic opportunities, both nations’approach to economic relations with China have nuanced differences attributable to their varied political structures, interest groups, ideologies, historical experiences, and decision-maker predispositions.
Australia’s relationship with China is marred with ups and downs. Under Labor government leadership in the early 2010s, Chinese investment and trade was welcomed, but changes in government, particularly under the Liberal- National Coalition’s Malcolm Turnbull and Scott Morrison, signalled a change in the atmosphere as Australia heavily prioritised security over economic interests by banning Huawei from being involved in nation’s 5G network rollout and limiting Chinese investment in Australia by amending investment laws. Simultaneously, Australia pursued closer alliances and partnerships with the West, such as AUKUS, and viewed China predominantly as a security threat rather than partner. Australia’s cautionary approach to China is driven by a clash of ideology and culture, given Australia strongly values democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, whilst China has consistently disregarded these tenets. Furthermore, Australian history has closely been aligned with the West, stemming from its origins as a British colony and developing a close alliance with the US since World War II.
Contrastingly, Singapore has taken a consistently warm approach to Chinese economic cooperation from independence across its three administrations. Prioritising economic interests, Singapore has welcomed joint government projects, supported China’s Belt and Road Initiative, and positioned itself as the largest foreign investor in China. The close relationship with China is supported by shared ideologies that put Western values such as human rights and democracy lower on the priority list, and a shared historical legacy and culture due to the significant portion of the Singaporean population comprising of ethnic Han Chinese.