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Stories from the New Silk Road: The ‘frenemy’

Katy Watson explores Australia's relationship with China - partner, rival or 'frenemy'?

Katy Watson highlights Australia’s complex, turbulent and evolving relationship with their number one trading partner - China. Having signed a free trade agreement eleven years ago, in recent years there has been a marked shift in relations, with Canberra balancing its security dependence on Washington with its economic reliance on Beijing. From businesses, diplomats and military personnel, Katy Watson asks if China is Australia’s enemy or friend? Or as some critics suggest, are they a ‘frenemy’?

Presenter: Katy Watson
Producer: Peter Shevlin
A Pod60 production for BBC World Service

Available now

27 minutes

Last on

Sun 20 Sep 2026 22:32GMT
BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

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Broadcasts

  • Thu 17 Sep 2026 01:32GMT
    BBC World Service
  • Thu 17 Sep 2026 08:32GMT
    BBC World Service
  • Thu 17 Sep 2026 19:06GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
  • Sat 19 Sep 2026 23:32GMT
    BBC World Service except Americas and the Caribbean, Australasia, East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
  • Sun 20 Sep 2026 13:06GMT
    BBC World Service News Internet
  • Sun 20 Sep 2026 22:32GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only