Australians see China as good friend but still wary of military, trade threats

Australians have mixed feelings towards China, according to a new poll, with feelings of friendship tempered by perceived military and trade threats posed by the emerging power.

The 2014 Lowy Institute Poll released on Wednesday found that Australians believe China and Japan had equal claims to the title of "Australia's best friend in Asia," while sentiments towards China have warmed significantly this year to its equal highest rating of 60 degrees on the so-called Lowy Institute's " thermometer" of feelings towards other nations.

However, despite this increased warmth, 48 percent of Australian adults believe China is likely to become a military threat to Australia in the next 20 years (up 7 points), and a majority, 56 percent, say the Australian government allows too much investment from China.

When it comes to China's leader Xi Jinping, 64 percent of Australians either do not know or hold no view of the president.

"What's remarkable about these findings is that one in two Australians think we may be in a military conflict within two decades with our largest trading partner -- a country many people today see as our best friend in Asia," said Dr. Michael Fullilove, the executive director of the Lowy Institute.

The findings are based on a nationally representative telephone survey of 1,000 Australian adults between Feb. 12-27. An additional 150 adults aged 18-29 years were also surveyed on questions about democracy, threats to Australia's vital interests, climate change and feelings towards other countries.

The poll's error margin on the 1,000 sample is approximately 3. 1 percent.