Significant Challenges the Asian Century Brings for Australia - Literature review Example

Institution : xxxxxxxxxxx Title : xxxxxxxxxxx Tutor : xxxxxxxxxxx Course : xxxxxxxxxxx @2013 Introduction Australia’s strategic place within the globe has often been regarded as quite favourable in comparison to a great number of nations. As highlighted by the NSW Government (2013), Australia’s economy during the global economic/financial crisis and after the crisis, for instance, has been recognized as among the globe’s most resilient economies1. Besides, the NSW Government (2013) further states that the country’s currency is currently regarded as the 5th most traded currency both regionally and globally, hence assuming a safe-haven status once exclusively dominated by the United States dollar2. Despite its strengths, the nation also faces numerous challenges emanating from the Asian Century. According to White (2011), the Australian nation stands to have significant consequences arising from the challenges posed by the Asian Century especially through its rapid changes3. Various challenges have already been mentioned as confronting Australia including security, issues arising from the changing power balances in Asia and environmental issues. Such challenges, consequent decisions regarding them and the ultimate outcomes as such have the potential of exerting a greater influence on the country’s future success. This is currently a serious concern that, according to Medcalf (2012), even drew significant attention from the then Labour Prime Minister hence making her launch a policy paper under the title of Australia in the Asian Century4. In view of this, this particular paper therefore intends to provide an analysis of the most significant challenges the Asian century brings for Australia. As highlighted by Tellis et.al (2011), Australia is indeed at a very difficult juncture. As a middle-sized democracy strategically situated within the maritime Asia’s Southern border, the nation is argued to be confronted by serious strategic challenges which are without a doubt posing serious challenges to its government and indeed shaping the nation’s international environment5. According to Tellis et.al (2011), one of the, most significant challenges the nation faces in the wake of the Asian century is security and the issues arising from it6. Since the outbreak of the Vietnam War, Australia’s security has to a larger extent often been assured by way of fortuitous circumstances. According to White (2012), the prolonged United State’s primacy in the continent of Asia has made it possible for this region to be not only open but also organized7. The impacts of this have been enhanced trade, economic growth and more significantly prevention of relations involving various powers within the Asian continent from turning to a threatening and destabilizing competition able to damage the Australian security. However, as highlighted by Pan (2013), the Asian Century seems even more untractable following a number of emerging security challenges emanating from the non-state actors8. Actually, just as the previous decade’s events transformed the country’s focus on matters regarding national security, the current decade has emphasized on terrorism being a national and global threat thereby significantly stressing on the role of non-state actors in perpetuating terrorist activities. A number of non-state actors comprising of criminal/threatening terrorist groups and organizations are cited as continuing to pose continuous challenges to the nation’s security as well as that of Australia’s regional partners (Commonwealth of Australia, 2006)9. In Particular, some smaller nations neighbouring Australia, who have limited resources to deal with the challenge of terrorism activities and are therefore incapable of preventing these particular activities have become increasingly vulnerable hence also sending strong messages to Australia for a possible terrorist attack and the need for equipping itself in case of such occurrences. As such weaknesses experienced within the smaller states surrounding Australia are likely to pose serious implications for the country’s national security; it cannot regard these threats as concerning those nations in isolation. The Australian government (2009) argues that Australia as well as the regional partners have a common viewpoint that the threats perpetuated and exacerbated by terrorist networks constantly improve and that there is no doubt that such threats will advance regardless of the tremendous efforts towards making individual responses and collective responses become accurately-targeted and sophisticated10. A similarly worrying trend within the Asian region that sends threat messages to Australia is the recent cases of self-radicalized actors and lone-actor terrorists. The simultaneous bomb attacks in Bali, Indonesia in the years 2002 and 2005, for instance, significantly impacted on Australia. According to Benson (2013), the 2002 terrorist attacks in Bali, which is among major Australia’s favourite tourists destination, claimed approximately 202 lives whereby approximately 44 percent of the dead (88 people) were Australians11. In the year 2005, Bali witnessed the same bombing attacks considered to have been executed by 3 suicide bombers and which killed 4 Australians while injuring 19 of them. The attacks on Australian citizens were considered within Australia as having been as a result of revenge against Australia owing to its role in helping the nation of East Timor achieve independence from the Indonesian nation. Such bomb attacks have as well been considered representing significant increases in terrorism development thereby having significant implications for the country’s security. These particular horrifying attacks highlighted the aspects of terrorism within the region, a factor that has been highlighted to have increased the country’s concerns regarding its susceptibility to catastrophic terrorism (ConvictCreations. Com, 2013)12.Generally, the given terrorism experiences have no doubt had serious implications in terms of Australian security perceptions. As a result of this, it is not surprising that the debates following the Bali attacks have seen renewed efforts for Australia to primarily pay attention to the security situation within regions bordering it (Benson, 2013) 13. While it may appear that Australia can simply fight terrorism within its boundaries or perform the same outside its boundaries, and especially within Central Asia and the Middle East region, this may not be the case since such easy alternatives are seemingly unavailable within this Asian century. Actually, al-Qaeda pursuit due to their involvement in the Bali bombings underscores the international dimensions to the regional problems. As Wesley (2013) argues, with the present rising globalization on a number of fronts, attempts to focus on regions that given nations have strategic interests on may be unavoidable due to the inability of states to restrict or call off international linkages14. Actually; increasing concerns have been raised regarding the linkages existing between the global/international terror networks and the regional-based Islamists groups. In view of this, the Australian nation regards the terrorism war to be indicating and demanding significant efforts at regional and the international level as opposed to dealing with it at an individual level. According to White (2012), another very significant challenge that Australia faces in the wake of the Asian century is the shifting or changing power balances pitting the major/key powers of the Asian continent argued to be instigating new calculations among the key powers within the Asian region15. As Wesley (2013) argues, Australia is undoubtedly being faced with the concurrent rise of the Chinese nation as well as its Asian continent counterpart, India (the two major powers within the Asian continent) 16.According to Tellis et.al (2011),in 2009,the republic of China surpassed the Japanese nation to become Australia’s top most partner in terms of trading17. This transition actually turned out to be a landmark in Australia’s history as it ushered the very first time that such a given status was held by a country which was not a benefactor or a guarantor for the security of Canberra, a key ally to any of the Australia’s allies or a nation sharing in the country’s democratic values. According to White (2011), this given contest for the Asian continent where the two key Asian powers loom large undoubtedly poses new strategic challenges or issues to the Australian security that has for long been dependant on an open as well as an unswerving order backed up by the American dominance18. White (2013) asserts that presently, Australia as a nation appears to be significantly enjoying a lot from the two Asian powers and America concurrently19. The fast growing economies of both the Chinese nation and India, for instance, provides rewarding markets fundamental not only for its minerals but also for its plentiful energy reserves. America’s pre-eminence, on the other hand, assures Australia of its security. However, in spite of this beneficial position that Australia as a nation is enjoying, Menzies et.al (2012) argues that many questions are now emerging as regards how long such favorable times will take20. Furthermore, questions as regards whether the Australia as a nation has actually an efficient strategy geared towards the Indo-Pacific period involving both the Chinese nation and the Indian nation strength. As such, in view of this context, Australia appears to have begun facing strategic challenges alongside decisions stemming from its strategic environment. The challenges mainly entail the possible choices that Australia as a nation has to make between America, its key ally on issues of security and the Chinese nation, its key trade partner that procures almost 25 percent of the nation’s exports with additional growing links relating to migration, education, business and tourism. The most difficult question however revolves around whether or how the Australia-American partnership might in future be exploited in any case there is a military conflict pitting it against Beijing (Tellis et.al, 2011) 21.On the whole, there remains a question as regards whether the Australian nation might oppose America or its other partners regarding its uncomfortable stand over the accommodation of the interests of the Chinese nation with the regional order. Canberra’s recent endorsement of the alliance, for instance, means that whereas short-term disagreement between the Chinese nation and the American nation is unlikely to happen, this may actually present serious risks in the long-run to the Australian nation as some analysts contend. As highlighted by Hayward-Jones (2013), the emergence of India significantly makes power dynamics within the Asian region more complex apart from making this potentially beneficial to the Australian nation22. The Indian nation, being not only the fourth leading exporter of goods to the Australian nation, is as well among the leading and fast growing importers of Australian products. On average, India’s purchase of Australian goods account for about 7% of the total Australian exports, a factor that has encouraged Australia to welcome a serious and dedicated partnership with it. Australia, on the other hand, is going through frustrations relating to its establishment not only of political trust but also strategic relevance, despite the common democratic values and security interests. In effect, this actually presents significant implications to the Australian nation as its progress will probably require policy choices that may seem awkward. White (2010) further argues that in future the nation is still likely to go through a number of challenges as the nation simultaneously engages the Chinese nation and the Indian nation while as well holding on the its present American alliance23. As such, Australia will in future likely to be compelled to decide on China’s Beijing and United State’s Washington as well as making a decision on India’s New Delhi and China’s Beijing (Knight & Heazle, 2011)24. Overall, there is no doubt of the existence of contrast as well as parallels in terms of Australia’s relations with the Indian and Chinese nations. Australia’s relation with the Chinese and the Indian nations generally revolves around economic relationships with significant growth in terms of societal links mainly through migration, tourism and trade. Even so, White (2012) states that the partial disharmony witnessed in the relationship of the Australian nation with the Chinese and Indian nations are noticeable through value-based issues which greatly pose challenges to the Australian foreign policy as well as its defense policy25. Cyber security has also been highlighted to be a serious security threat attributed to the Asian century. According to the Australian government (2009), cyber space technology is having profound impacts within the society whereby it is also presenting significant implications to the national security26.Actually, as highlighted by the Australian government; cyber security has been indicated as among Australia’s top most security priorities. The Asian Century has come along with increased sophistication, penetration and scale of cyber threats/crimes with the increase in electronic information. This has in effect facilitated the efforts and activities of various criminals as well as malicious actors quite informed on the use of the internet as an anonymous, beneficial and convenient tool to conduct their illegal activities. According to the Australian government (2009), the Australian national security, its economic prosperity as well as its social well-being are highly dependent on the availability, secrecy and integrity of various ICTs27.However, the openness as well as accessibility of internet has come along with serious risks relating to malicious activities. An instance is where foreign-based intelligence services together with various criminal organizations are viewed as being able to utilize internet in accessing the Australian systems. Similarly, extremists are known to be able to easily coordinate their criminal activities, communicate with each other and finally radicalize. As OECD (2012) states, the digital internet-enabled threats are on the increase while also transforming rapidly28. The increased malicious incidences pertaining to cyber space technology have no doubt exposed the range of threats that the present hyper-connected universe against both the economic and social gains that come with the internet. The implications of these particular threats is that the Australian national security and the law enforcement organs have been compelled to immediately pay attention to effective strategies geared towards addressing cyber-related threats Environmental challenges have also come under light following the onset of the energy-thirsty Asian Century. According to Zhao (2013), since the beginning of the 21st century, the globe has witnessed the mammoth growth of the gigantic Chinese economy29. China’s growth and its corresponding energy thirst has in effect driven most of Australia’s economic growth while also cushioning Australia from substantial effects of the global financial crisis. Without China’s energy requirements, and to some extent the Indian nation, development of natural resources within Australia and more particularly the gas resources located within the areas of Timor Sea and Northwest Shelf is argued by Hunter (2012) to would have not significantly and rapidly increased30. In the last decade, for instance, new and massive offshore gas reservoirs have been and are still being developed whereby places such as Prelude, Barrow Island and Ichthys have become synonymous for their potentials. Major oil firms are in fact rushing and competing to establish their projects within these particular fields with an ambition of exporting huge volumes of gas in the liquefied natural gas form to the Asian markets. According to Hunter (2012), the amount of investments in these particular promising fields is unquestionably enormous and approximated to several billions of Australian dollars31. The petroleum exploitation activities have significantly affected the economies of the Australian states and the Australian economy as a whole with the communities closer to such resources sharing the impacts therein. The state governments within Australia have faced numerous challenges regarding the regulation of such activities and more so in the wake of the Montara oil spill and the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon where serious, long lasting oil spills currently seem a reality more than just a threat. Offshore activities relating to petroleum extraction are posing significant, complex legal questions to the state and federal Australian governments especially with regards to regulating this burgeoning industry. As highlighted by Hunter (2012), the very energy markets in the Asian region are similarly behind the expansion of the onshore gas business following their increased search for and exploitation not only of the shale gas but also coal seam gas32. This has raised serious social, economic and legal controversies especially on Australian East Coast where these controversies have been witnessed within the state as well as the national stages. Queensland and New South Wales are actually struggling with regulations relating to the petroleum activities, access to land and water resource management within the currently fragile Great Artesian Basins and Murray. According to Sharma (1994), environmental challenges associated with such exploitation activities have become a serious concern to the Australian nation33. Sharma (1994) argues that the Australia’s oil industry is neither spared from complex challenges relating to energy resources and environment34.Australia’s oil industry is in actual fact being threatened by environmental awareness as well as various legislative issues associated with this. According to Eliasson et.al (1999), owing to the fact that oil is a dominant commodity within the energy-consumption scene, the manner in which these particular developing environmental issues relate to the Australian oil industry has turned out to be a serious concern since energy is argued to contribute to over 50% of the world’s greenhouse gas release/emissions35. Conclusion Asia’s growth has without a doubt been remarkable by all standards especially after the Second World War. And currently, it is beyond doubt that the dramatic rise of the Asian powers, and especially China and its counterpart India are defining the current century, the Asian Century, in completely new terms. Based on the above analysis, it is clearly evident that the Asian Century is indeed having profound effects/impacts on the Australian nation. This has compelled Australia to realize that these changes are indeed a reality, identify risks and opportunities associated with this change and eventually prepare itself adequately, by continuously conducting assessment of the diplomatic priorities existing. References Australian Government, 2009, Cyber Security Strategy, Commonwealth of Australia Benson, S, 2013, Tony Abbott tells of 2005 Bali bomb terror, Retrieved on the 15th October, 2013 from Commonwealth of Australia, 2006, Australia’s Defense Relations with the United States ConvictCreations. Com, 2013, Media Coverage of the Bali Bombings: A strength in character and a betrayal of ideals, Retrieved on the 15th October, 2013 Eliasson, B, Riemer, P & Wokaun, R, 1999, Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies, Elsevier Hayward-Jones, J, 2013, Big enough for all of us: Geo-Strategic Competition in the Pacific Islands Hunter, T, 2012, China, India and Australian gas – who controls energy in the Asian Century? The Conversation Knight, N & Heazle, M, 2011, Understanding Australia's Neighbours: An Introduction to East and Southeast Asia, Cambridge University Press Menzies, J, Chung, M & Orr, S, 2012, Doing Business in China: Getting Ready for the Asian Century, Business Expert Press Medcalf, R, 2012, Australia’s Place in the “Asian Century” NSW Government, 2013, Australia’s challenges in the Asian Century OECD, 2012, Cyber Security Policy Making at a Turning Point: Analyzing a New Generation of National Cyber Security Strategies for the Internet Economy Pan, C, 2013, The Asian/Chinese Century from the Chinese Perspective, Griffith Asia Quarterly, 1 (1) Sharma, S, 1994, Energy, the Environment, and the Oil Market: An Asia-Pacific Perspective, Institute of Southeast Asian, 1994 Tellis, A, et.al, 2011, Asia Responds to Its Rising Powers: China and India, NBR White, H, 2010, Quarterly Essay 39 Power Shift: Australia's Future between Washington and Beijing, Black Inc White,H,2011,Power shift: Rethinking Australia’s place in the Asian century, Australian Journal of International Affairs,Vol. 65, No.1,Pp. 81-93 White, H, 2012, A Middling Power: Why Australia's Defense is all at Sea, The Monthly, No.82 Wesley, M, 2013, The Meaning of China, The Melbourne Review White, H, 2013, America wants to know whose side Australia is on, The Sidney Morning Herald Zhao, H, 2013, China and India: The Quest for Energy Resources in the 21st Century, Routledge Read More