The Wire

John Howard will arrive in Beijing tonight, on the first leg of a two-week tour of China, Japan, Turkey and Greece. His meetings with the Chinese Premier and President are expected to eventually result in strengthened relations and a free trade agreement between the two countries. Australia’s exports with China have almost quadrupled in the last 10 years, and Australia may benefit by more than $20 billion over 10 years from the two opening their markets. However, Beijing is extremely wary of Australia’s relationship with the US, and has declined to support Australian ambitions for a wider role in the Asia-Pacific. So will Australia have to chose between its historical friendship with the United States and its economic and geographical closeness with China? The Wire’s Anja Kueppers spoke to Hugh White, Professor of Strategic Studies at the Australian National University and visiting fellow at the Lowy Institute, and Jenny MacGregor, the Executive Director of Asia Link in Melbourne, to find out more.