Australia can't rely on Joe Biden to reset its relationship with China, former ambassador says

Former ambassador to China Geoff Raby has warned Australia can't rely on a Biden presidency alone to reset increasingly strained ties with Beijing.

Former Australian ambassador to China Geoff Raby. Source: AAP

As Australia’s relationship with China continues to strain, there is hope a Joe Biden presidency could help reset tense relations with our major trading partner. 

Geoff Raby, Australia's former ambassador to China, fronted the National Press Club on Wednesday to address the challenge presented by the deteriorating relationship. 

Beijing has sought to portray Canberra as acting on behalf of the United States amid increasing disputes over trade and the coronavirus pandemic.

Mr Raby says Australia must make a choice about the future direction of the relationship with China. Source: AAP

Mr Raby said the expected "more nuanced" approach from president-elect Joe Biden - in contrast to President Donald Trump - would likely offer a circuit breaker to repair ties with China. 

“This does provide an opportunity for reset, to re-engage and to rebuild those sorts of relations,” he said.

But he warned a change in leadership alone won’t bring an end to the tension. 

“If we're going to try and find a way of navigating through this dystopian foreign policy landscape, and not just have ourselves glued at the hip to the United States, which is actually a receding power in the region, then we are going to have to invest massively in diplomacy.”

Australia's relationship with China has deteriorated since Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s global push for an inquiry into the coronavirus pandemic.

Mr Raby said the “ill-judged” call for the inquiry had resulted in Beijing reacting with increasing “wolf warrior diplomacy” and economic coercion. 

China hit Australian barley with tariffs in May, suspended beef imports from several abattoirs and launched an anti-dumping investigation into Australian wine in August. 

Senior government ministers have also been unable to contact their Chinese counterparts for months amid the diplomatic freeze in relations.

Mr Raby said Australia needed to make a decision about whether China is seen as a strategic competitor or a cooperation partner.

“We talk the talk of cooperation, but basically walk the walk of strategic competition,” he said.

He said battles over human rights should not be ignored, but must be approached carefully when speaking up.

"The main thing with diplomacy is not how loudly you speak, but the outcomes you get," he said.