As the Federal Government prepares the country for the ‘Asian Century’, a new survey has shown the average Australian isn’t too big on our nearby neighbours.

In a poll of around 1000 people the Lowy Institute for International Policy has found cooling sentiment towards China and Indonesia, especially where foreign policy in concerned, though most support a strong economic relationship.

Forty-eight per cent of Australians believe our relationship with the United States is most  important, 37 per cent agreeing with the Government that we should strengthen our bonds with China. Sixty-one per cent of people believe China will eventually replace the United States as the world's leading superpower, and 12 per cent say it already has. The survey also found 41 per cent of respondents believe China will become a military threat to Australia in the next 20 years.

The executive director of the Lowy Institute, which performed the survey, says the feelings on China are significant. As one of the major buyers of all our energy and resources Australia’s bond with China seems set in stone, or in coal at least. The survey found Australians know the importance of economic links, but are still wary of the country as a whole.   

We’re not much friendlier where Indonesia is concerned. Report author Alex Oliver says the result on Indonesia has been steady over recent years.

"The survey highlights an ambivalent view on Indonesia," he said, “on one hand Australian feels they have done a good job and been a good neighbour but they don't feel that Indonesia has been good in return."

Australians appear to lack knowledge on Indonesia; the survey found that only 33 per cent of respondents believe Indonesia is a democracy.