Australians Want Technology From China Despite Their Fear Towards This Country

"Protecting Australians from the intrusion of foreign state" should be the government's first priority, chosen by 44% of Australians in a survey about choosing which foreign firms should be given permission to provide new technology and advancement for valuable services.

Being released on Wednesday, this figure is for International Policy from the Lowy Institute - the latest annual poll. It is described in a report as "relatively half" of citizens.

Both ‘supplying the most modern tech to Australia' and 'lower prices for Australian customers' is reported to receive significantly fewer, only 28% each. However, this also indicates that approximately over half the population agrees that the first concern is cheaper or better technology.

(Image: Lowy Institute)

Opinion and view among age groups are significantly different. While approximately 34% of the age from 18 to 29 years old want more concentration on protection from the government, the other 28% and 36% respectively need cheap prices or more sophisticated technology.

For those who are 65 and above, the majority of them concentrate on protection, accounting for 51% while only 26% and 22% respectively want lower prices or higher technology.

The Lowy Insitute has never asked this kind of topic in its annual poll before. This is because of the August 2018’s announcement by the Australian government about banning Chinese firms Huawei as well as ZTE from Australia's 5G network rollouts.

According to the Lowy Institute, this decision has gained favor from many Australians. No matter how you read these figures, it’s obvious that Australians now increase their concerns about China.

In 2019, the poll received its lowest scores in history because of the Australians’ views towards China. And plunging 20 points compared to last year, about 32% of Australians left agree that China will ‘act more responsibly towards the world’.

Now, a 13-point drop, the remaining 30% of Australians hold their belief in Xi Jinping Chinese president in doing the right thing about world problems.

A vast number of Australians, approximately 79%, believe that "China's investment plans into infrastructure in Asia are in service for the purpose of regional domination". And 52% of them disagree that China's infrastructure investment plans on over Asia are actually benefited the area. A key part of that investment has been supplying and providing international fiber optic links as well as 5G technology.

“Most Australians state that their economy is too reliant on China and Australia need to take steps to stand up to China's military activities in their area. The skeptical views continue to discuss Chinese investment in Australia and its plans in the Pacific.”

According to the Lowy Institute, China can be considered as Australia’s biggest trading partner, similar to the United States, yet just 4% think China is Australia’s best friend.

Since 2017, this figure has changed significantly as the percentage of Australians say the United States their good friend is now five times higher comparing to China. Japan and Indonesia, however, receive only 2% and 1% respectively.

Australia's relationship with China is indeed a live political topic during the G20 Leaders' Summit in Japan this upcoming weekend. Prime Minister Scott Morrison stated that the trade war between US and China is creating "collateral damage" all over the world, which has already taken away $30 billion from Huawei's revenue forecasts and has resulted in Huawei's current PR problems.