Australians’ trust in China plummets to lowest level in 14 years, survey shows

Only 32 per cent of Australians trust China to act responsibly, according to an annual poll by the Lowy Institute – the lowest level since 2005

In addition, 77 per cent said Canberra should do more to challenge Chinese military activities in the region, even if it affected economies ties

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Sydney Opera House seen through a Chinese flag, with an Australian flag in the foreground. Photo: AFP

Published: 7:00pm, 26 Jun 2019Updated: 11:53am, 27 Jun 2019

Australians are rapidly losing trust in China and are concerned about relying on Chinese trade, a survey by a think tank in Sydney has found, amid controversy over Beijing’s influence in the country and geopolitical backyard.

Only 32 per cent of Australians trust China to act responsibly, according to the annual opinion poll by the Lowy Institute – a 20-point plunge compared to last year and the lowest proportion recorded since the survey began in 2005.

Chinese naval vessels docked at Garden Island Naval Base in Sydney on June 3. Photo: EPA

In all, 74 per cent of respondents said Australia was too economically dependent on China, which receives nearly one-third of Australian exports, while 79 per cent saw China’s infrastructure investments in Asia as part of plans to dominate the region.

In a sign of rising hawkish sentiment in Australia, 77 per cent of those surveyed said the government should do more to challenge Chinese military activities in the region, even if it affected economies ties – up 11 points since 2015.

The poll surveyed 2,130 Australian adults nationwide over a two-week period in March.

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