As for China's rise and impact, my key word is uncertainty. A lot of perceptions in the minds of government, not just in Australia but also in many countries in the Asia-Pacific region,  stem from the fact that we simply don't know how a powerful China will behave in the future.

If we look at China's changing capabilities, its ability to act militarily, as well as its interests and needs, energy and resources in particular, we don't know what impact these will have. It's quite natural for countries that are accustomed to a very different regional order to hedge.

Hedging can mean a barrier, or can mean a strategy of attempting to do two things at once, since Australia wants good relations with China and to keep alliances with the US at the same time.

The Australian public's opinion on China is divided. Our institute once did an opinion poll. What is fascinating in the poll is that until 2008 we saw Australians each year becoming warmer toward China, but since 2008, we have seen Australians becoming cooler.

The Australian public is becoming nervous about China’s military and China’s influence. An important negative symbolic moment in the public mind was the 2008 Olympic torch relay in Canberra, which saw a very large protest by Chinese students or residents in Australia against Tibetan and human rights protesters. This had a strong impact on Australia. 

Possible confrontation between China and the US could be instigated by incidents involving third countries, for example, between China and Vietnam, and the Philippines. We try to understand the US position on this, and we should take very seriously the commitment to reassure alliances, because if the US won't support one ally all the other allies will get nervous.

The author is program director of international security at the Lowy Institute for International Policy. This article was compiled by Global Times reporter Yu Jincui. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn