Abstract: The year 2017 marked not only the 45th anniversary of the establishment of China-Australia diplomatic relations, but also significant turbulence in the relationship. While bilateral economic and trade relations, as well as people-to-people communication and cooperation continue to grow, a series of dramatic and negative events unfolded in Australia, advocating the so-called “China threat”, and instigated by anti-China sentiments. The recent anti-China backlash in Australia was caused by a combination of deep structural change in the current international system, and instability in Australia’s domestic politics. It is also the outcome of Australia’s dependence on the US-Australia alliance, while balancing between its own economic and security interests. It is worth noting that in comparison to the past, the current anti-China movement in Australia has been more profound and more focused, demonstrating new characteristics. This includes Australia collaborating with certain Western nations against China’s influence, as well as strategic warnings with more political and policy implications. Although Australia’s anti-China backlash will not have a fundamental impact on China-Australia relations, Australia’s anti-China stance and behavior is characteristic of an increasingly prevalent trend among the Western nations of concern about China’s rising influence, and new defense strategies against this. China must proceed with caution when dealing with the negative repercussions of this. Full text available here.