Australians remains distrustful of China despite the improvement in relations between the two countries over the past two years, new research today shows.

The continuing wariness about Beijing’s intentions was one finding of the Lowy Institute think tank’s annual survey of Australians’ attitudes towards international affairs.

The results for this year revealed public attitudes in Australia towards China have only marginally warmed since the Albanese government took power in 2022.

Australians remain wary about China, new research shows. (AP)

From the 2028 Australians surveyed in March by the institute, 53 per cent said they regarded China as more of a security threat than an economic partner, a similar result to last year.

The research also found 71 per cent said it was either “somewhat” or “very” likely that China would become a military threat to Australia in the next 20 years.

But Australians are divided on how the federal government should respond to China’s growing assertiveness, according to the survey.

Fifty-one per cent feel Australia should concentrate on stabilising Canberra-Beijing relations, while 45 per cent indicated it should place more emphasis on deterring it from using military power.

Rising superpower accused of ‘reckless’ action in disputed sea

The high level of wariness towards the emerging superpower comes after a warming in relations between Australia and Australia over the past two years.

Lowy Institute executive director Michael Fullilove said the attitude of Australians towards China had only marginally improved this year.

Australians overwhelmingly prefer US President Joe Biden to be re-elected this year over challenger Donald Trump. (AP)

“Australians’ trust towards China, while improving slightly, remains strikingly low,” he said.

“Threat perceptions remain high: seven in ten Australians consider it likely that China will pose a military threat to Australia in the future.”

The survey also showed Australians continue to regard their country’s relationship with the US as pivotal, but with reservations about its leadership.

Of those surveyed, 83 per cent said the Canberra-Washington alliance with the US was vital to Australia’s security and 63 per cent believed it made Australia safer from a Chinese attack.

But trust in US President Joe Biden had slumped 13 points to a new low of 46 per cent.

Australians still regard him as a safer pair of hands in the White House than Republican rival and former president Donald Trump.

Only 29 per cent of those canvassed preferred Trump to win this year’s US election, while 68 per cent want to see Biden re-elected.

You May Also Like

Hunga Tonga volcanic eruption was so large its shockwave reached space: report

A volcanic eruption in the South Pacific was so powerful that its…

Update after a man was accused of breaking into Gold Logie winning actress Asher Keddie’s house and trying to steal a Ducati motorbike

By WILLIAM TON FOR AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS Published: 08:58 EDT, 28 April…

Democrats' Latest Immigration Propaganda Stunt Just Blew Up in Their Faces

Remember when Democrats thought they could manipulate public opinion by turning…

Horrifying secrets of Nazi concentration camp’s human experiments including hurling grenades into a packed room are revealed in trove of Soviet documents

By HARRY HOWARD, HISTORY EDITOR Published: 08:15 EDT, 28 April 2025 |…