The other dismisses strategic concerns as Western insecurity or an inability to accept China’s rise. Australia’s strategic challenge isn’t determining whether China is friend or foe, nor deciding whether every Chinese action represents a threat. The next question follows naturally: can Australia continue pursuing those interests during periods of economic, political or strategic pressure? Not every Chinese company operates as an instrument of state power, and Australia benefits enormously from commercial engagement with China. They ask whether Australia could continue governing, trading and pursuing its national interests if access, supply or cooperation became conditional.