Key highlights:
- Australia has announced plans to protect dozens of key technology from foreign meddling.
- In response to security recommendations, the Turnbull government prohibited both Huawei and ZTE from Australia’s 5G network in 2018.
- Nuclear technology is also on the list, which marks a significant change for a country that has traditionally been averse to fission power and now only has one research reactor.
Tech war between Australia and China
For a long time, Australia and China have been at odds, particularly when it comes to technology. The relationship between the two countries has been strained since the outbreak.
Australia has announced plans to protect dozens of key technology from foreign meddling, boosting up efforts to protect against “national security vulnerabilities“ posed by China and others.
At an online event in Sydney, Prime Minister Scott Morrison presented a list of 63 “essential technologies” to be promoted and safeguarded, a step toward limiting what the government, business, and universities can and cannot share with overseas peers.
5G connectivity, quantum technology (based on the physics of subatomic particles), artificial intelligence, improved magnets, 3D printing, drones, and vaccinations are among the technologies on the list.
Morrison stated at a session held by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute that the measures aim to “balance the economic potential of essential technology with their national security threats.”
The 5G war
Under the cover of academic collaboration, Australia has grown more worried about the transfer of critical technology to foreign military countries, notably China.
In response to security recommendations, the Turnbull government prohibited both Huawei and ZTE from Australia’s 5G network in 2018. Canberra has also taken steps to curb Chinese state-linked enterprises’ capacity to run key infrastructure in Australia.
A move to essentially prevent Huawei from operating Australia’s 5G network triggered a massive diplomatic schism between the two nations.
High-level diplomatic interactions have been halted for over two years, and Beijing has imposed a slew of penalties that some have dubbed a “shadow trade war.”
Australia is now auctioning out 5G spectrum licenses.’
Norms and Values
Morrison also identified nine vital technologies that will be the focus of investment, expecting that the knowledge will assist “preserve our liberal democratic values” in a moment of “strategic rivalry.”
“The simple fact is that nations at the leading edge of technology have greater economic, political, and military power,” he said. “And, in turn, greater capacity to influence the norms and values that will shape technological development in the years to come.”
Nuclear technology is also on the list, which marks a significant change for a country that has traditionally been averse to fission power and now only has one research reactor.
Australia has announced its desire to acquire long-range, ultra-stealthy nuclear-powered submarines from the United States or the United Kingdom, canceling a massive order from France for diesel-powered subs.
However, the list includes a variety of nuclear technologies related to power generation, space flight, reprocessing, and isotope manufacturing.
Many of the other mentioned technologies, such as synthetic materials that bend light or radio waves, self-fixing materials suited for enhanced body armor, laser communications, or quantum cryptography, have military or dual-use applications.
