Can Australia have its cake and eat it?

Australia has been hovering on the edge of the Asia-Pacific region for a long time. It had always considered itself to be a Western country on account of its traditional culture, political system and values, but now some subversive questions came into being in the political, academic and public opinion circles of Australia: Does Australia need to reconsider itself to be an Asian country, a part of Asia or a Western country locating in Asia? The current Asia maintains a stable political security and is a region with the most dynamic economy and most potential to growth in the world. An indisputable fact is that Australia increasingly depends on Asia in its economy and exports large amounts of mineral resources, educational resources, the manufactured goods and retail goods to such Asian countries as China, India and Indonesia, thus earning profitable return. The men of insight appealed that the Asian century is no longer a distant future, but a fact taking shape. Therefore, Australia should catch the express train of the economic growth in Asia and make significant policy adjustments. Otherwise, it will miss the historic opportunity. It may be the best status for Australia to depend on Asia in economy and the United States in security. However, Can it eat the cake and have it? Does it need to make a choice between Asia and the United States?China and Australia will celebrate their 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations at the end of this year. In the past 40 years, the trade volume between the two states increased by more than 1,000 times and the exchanges and cooperation in various fields had a comprehensive development. The stable Chinese market is the important driving force to Australia's economic growth, making it a good performance in dealing with the global financial crisis. China is Australia's largest trading partner, accounting for one-fourth of its external trade, and it also is the largest cooperative partner of Australia in terms of trade, education and other aspects. The key of the rapid development of their relations lies in the mutual respect for their own development path and core interests, seeking common ground while reserving differences. China's peaceful development is an indispensable part of the Asian century. The arrival of the Asian century will provide a new historical opportunity for the development of China-Australia relations. As what an Australian friend had said, to Australia, the history belongs to the past and the geographic location belongs to the future.