The Current State And Future Development Of Australia-UK Relations Since 2016

After World War II,the US rose rapidly while the UK declined.Australia,which had always relied on the protection of the UK,turned to the US.The UK’s economic ties with Australia also weakened considerably after the UK joined the European Economic Community.By the beginning of the 21 st century,Australia and the UK had drifted apart.However,since 2016,the world landscape has undergone complex and profound changes.The year 2016 has become an important turning point for the warming of Australia-UK relations.In 2016,Brexit shocked the world and brought many negative impacts to the UK itself.Subsequently,the UK actively promoted the “Global Britain”strategy,attaching importance to the “Indo-Pacific” region and developing multilateral economy.Since 2017,the bilateral relationship between China and Australia has suffered enormous damage from Australia,with the bilateral trade negatively affected.Australia,which has long relied on the Chinese market,has suffered serious economic losses.Moreover,the US has put forward the “Indo-Pacific Strategy”,which has increased geopolitical tensions.Australia and the UK,as solid allies of the US,have closely followed the US.Based on the profound historical ties and common interests in the new era,Australia and the UK have carried out important cooperation in various fields under the strategic framework of the US.Generally,the relationship between Australia and the UK has become once again close and takes on new characteristics in the new era.Based on the above background,this thesis focuses on the analysis of the development of Australia-UK relations after Brexit in 2016,and thus predicts the future trend of Australia-UK relations.The current relationship between Australia and the UK is increasingly closer,which is influenced by China-Australia relations and China-US relations.The study on the Australia-UK relationship is helpful to analyze the current international situation and can provide reference for the development of China-Australia relations and China-UK relations.Firstly,through historical analysis,this thesis briefly describes the status and reasons of the development of Australia-UK relations before Brexit,and thus points out the basis for the development of Australia-UK relations in the new era.Secondly,combined with relevant policy documents,this thesis details the background of the development of Australia-UK relations in 2016,so as to analyze the reasons for the warming of Australia-UK relations.Then,the thesis focuses on the analysis of the current extensive cooperation between Australia and the UK in military,economic,political and diplomatic fields,mainly including cooperation on economy and people mobility against the backdrop of COVID-19,AUKUS,the Australia-UK FTA,and cooperation within the Five Eyes Alliance under the new circumstances.By exploring the background,motivations,contents,influences and future development of the cooperation between the two countries in various fields,the thesis supposes that Australia and the UK have more common interests in the new era,which has led to their various cooperation.However,there are also certain limitations in their cooperation.Additionally,the Australia-UK relationship is largely influenced by the US.Finally,on the basis of the above,this thesis makes a prediction for the future development of Australia-UK relations.Due to Australia’s important position in the“Indo-Pacific” region,especially in the South Pacific region,the UK will lay more emphasis on its relationship with Australia and strengthen cooperation with Australia,aiming to use Australia as a springboard to enter into the “Indo-Pacific” region.However,Australia-UK relations will also be affected by many other factors,and the US strategy and China-Australia relations will still have crucial impacts on Australia-UK relations.In general,Australia and the UK will continue to move within the orbit of the US,but it is worth noting that the relationship between Australia and the UK has also shown some independence.In the future,Australia will still attach importance to its relationship with the UK,an important ally,so as to enhance its ability to cope with the complex and changing international situation.