Australian intel dubs China as 'more powerful, assertive, authoritarian actor'

ISTANBUL

A review of Australia’s intelligence capabilities, declassified on Friday, has described China as a "more powerful, assertive, and authoritarian actor."

The report stated that the post-Cold War order has “collapsed,” adding that while it remains uncertain "what will take its place," Australia is expected to face “a world shaped by competition between nation-states and global geopolitical and economic fragmentation.”

The review was carried out by Heather Smith and Richard Maude, both former government officials, and was commissioned by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in 2023. The report was presented last year while the declassified version was released today.

It further emphasized that rivalries between major powers, particularly between China and the US, are not merely “a passing moment” but rather “a defining feature of the era.”

“Major-power conflict is no longer unimaginable. New security threats are emerging, many amplified by technological change. The fragility of borders, a persistent concern in our security landscape, is now more evident than ever,” the review stated.

The report also highlighted several "consequential shifts" shaping the global security environment, including China’s push for regional dominance, intensifying US-China competition, the rising importance of economic security, advancements in information and other technologies, increased cyberattacks and foreign interference, threats to social cohesion, record levels of global warming, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In response to these challenges, Australia has pledged an amount of over AU$44 million for the next four years to strengthen its intelligence agencies and enhance specific operational areas.

Australia currently has 10 intelligence agencies.