The Documentary - Stories from the New Silk Road: The ‘frenemy’ - BBC Sounds

World Service , · 17 Sep 2026 , · 26 mins

Katy Watson highlights Australia’s complex, turbulent and evolving relationship with their number one trading partner - China. Having signed a free trade agreement eleven years ago, in recent years there has been a marked shift in relations, with Canberra balancing its security dependence on Washington with its economic reliance on Beijing. From businesses, diplomats and military personnel, Katy Watson asks if China is Australia’s enemy or friend? Or as some critics suggest, are they a ‘frenemy’? Presenter: Katy Watson Producer: Peter Shevlin A Pod60 production for BBC World Service