Great Power politics are said to increasingly drive economic and political developments in the Indo-Pacific, with the course of the next decade to a large extent determined by how China and the United States manage their relationship and respective power resources. Where does that leave nations like Australia and Germany? 
Are there strategic costs to remaining neutral or trying to chart a middle path? What role is there for diplomacy, cooperation and concerted leadership?

The keynote speaker was Mr Peter Jennings, Executive Director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute who outlined the defence and national security risks created by China’s strategic advances to make itself a dominant power in the Indo Pacific. Describing Australia and Germany as historically ‘reluctant powers’, he pointed to the value of greater strategic thinking. Quoting German diplomat Wolfgang Ischinger’s ‘A World in Danger’, he emphasized that both countries are well-suited to take a strong stance together to ensure a free, democratic order regionally and globally.

This closed-door event formed part of the German-Australian Chamber’s ‘Canberra Delegation’, an annual event where members have the opportunity to engage with key policy makers in the “heart of the nation”, Canberra. 

We warmly thank Mr Jennings for joining us to share his insights with his usual candor and pragmatic optimism. We very much appreciate the great cooperation with the AHK, a big thank you to Dr Michael Zettinig, Deputy Executive Director of the German-Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce for his support in organizing this event and to the AHK board and members as well as our other guests.