澳大利亞（以下稱澳洲）位居印度洋與南太平洋交界上，鄰近東南亞，具有重要的戰略影響力，但其地緣政治與地緣經濟的位置卻遠離國際政治、經濟與軍事核心之外。澳洲身為一個大洋洲國家，加上曾是英國的殖民地，因此在傳統上其政治、外交、文化與經濟方面與歐、美等國的關係均較亞太國家來得密切。澳洲地理鄰近亞洲、但歷史文化背景及人文景觀卻屬於西歐，因此長期以來澳洲一直被視為是「不插手亞洲事務的白人國家」。 後冷戰時期的國際政經局勢急遽變化，儘管澳洲是以歐洲移民為主體社會，觀念卻因國際政治經濟現實而不斷調整。其基本內容可概括為：經濟上，努力開拓亞太市場，發揮澳洲的出口優勢，促進澳洲國內的就業與繁榮；政治上，在亞太地區扮演重要角色，發揮中等強權的實力與作用；在安全上，則將亞太地區安全納入本國的對外政策，在區域安全中發揮作用。 澳洲的外交政策取向主要是以「聯盟」為主，同時澳洲也扮演多元的國家角色。其在亞太地區確立的安全目標首先是維持其在該地區的經濟安全，是建立安全和穩定的環境以利於貿易與投資，保證該區域發生的任何政治與經濟變化以和平方式進行。其具體表現是更密切地與亞太地區交往，並積極推動區域經濟與安全合作組織。中程目標則是訂定以東亞為主要目標的政策；最重視與美國的聯盟關係，並將日本、印尼、中共與南韓列為四大重要雙邊關係，對澳洲的國家利益影響最大；此外，澳洲也希望加強與東協各國、紐西蘭、巴布亞紐幾內亞、南太平洋諸國的關係；關於安全保障的國際組織，則應重視ARF，而貿易自由化政策，則應重視WTO及APEC。而在長程目標方面除追求解決全球化的非軍事威脅，也強調推廣自由民主的價值觀，以增進區域內的結構穩定，進而維護澳洲的安全。 澳洲在亞太地區追求國家利益，實現其外交目標，主要關鍵在於是否能在外交政策上保持一定的獨立性；是否能考慮到亞洲國家的特點、採取靈活務實的政策，並為亞太區域鄰國所接受；以及是否有足夠的資源在亞太地區扮演更重要的角色；能否持久地融入亞太地區，而其參與亞太地區的政策使其得到國內民眾的支持，以上這些政策課題都是今日澳洲所必然要面對的。 The international political and economical situations of the post cold war period are rapidly transforming. Australia keeps on adjusting its diplomatic policies in accordance with the international political and economical situations. The diplomatic policies mainly focus on “alliance” issues. Besides, Australia has been taking on the diversified role. The primary security goal that Australia firmly establishes is to maintain the regional economic stability. Build up safe and stable conditions for developing trade and investment. The specific purpose is to closely get contact with Asia Pacific regions and advance the local economy and security cooperation. The intermediate goal is to adopt policies mainly for East Asia. Pay attention to the alliance with the United States and include Japan, Indonesia, China and South Korea as four important bilateral relations. These will benefit Australia most. Besides, Australia expects to improve the relationship with East Associations, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and South Pacific. Regard ARF for International Security Associations; WTO and APEC for freedom of trade policies. Furthermore, make efforts in relieving global non-military threats and insist on advancing free and democratic values as the long-term goal, in order to generate solid structure in every region and assure the safety of Australia. The crucial factor for Australia to achieve its diplomatic goal is whether the diplomatic policies maintain the independent character. Will the Asian distinguishing features be considered? Can the flexible and practical policies be adopted and accepted by neighboring countries? Whether there are abundant resources for developing prominent position. Can Australia maintain permanent and harmonious relations among Asia Pacific regions? Will Asia Pacific policies be supported by general public? The above issues should all be further discussed.
