When China and Australia celebrated 45 years of diplomatic ties Thursday, Australians had a dilemma: Which animals were the right mascots for the occasion? 

The debate in the media centered around the vicious dragon or the adorable panda to represent China, while Australians couldn't decide on the aggressive kangaroo or the cute koala to represent the "Land Down Under."

The dragon is an apt metaphor for the differences in how the Chinese view themselves and how some Australians view the Chinese. The legendary creature is considered divine and benevolent in Chinese mythology, but it is viewed in the West as a harbinger of doom.  

This ambivalence in choosing a mascot pair may reflect the dynamic nature of Sino-Australian relations, which have seen their ups and downs. 

The two countries have been close partners in many fields over the past decade. According to chairman of the Australia China Business Council John Brumby, the fact that Australia avoided a recession in the past 26 years “could not have happened without China’s rise.” 

But the relationship has recently been strained by reports in the Australian media about the “perceived Chinese meddling in the country’s domestic affairs.” Some politicians have also criticized China for its handling of the South China Sea issue. Sam Dastyari, a Labor senator resigned “after months of trying to fend off accusations that he pushed China’s foreign policy interests after taking money from Chinese-born political donors.” Australian Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull even unveiled a series of proposed laws to counter the disturbing “Chinese influence.” 

These events have prompted a growing debate in Australia: Should Australia treat China as an enemy, or focus on the relationship’s economic benefits? Is China Australia’s friend or foe?  

Conversations with Australian experts interviewed by the New York Times’ Australia bureau chief, Damien Cave, may shed light on the issue.

Hugh White, a defense analyst, noted that “Australia has for so long lived in a region – and to a certain extent a whole world – shaped by our great and powerful allies, Britain and America, but we’re very not used to dealing with powerful states that are not our allies.”

“One of the things you’re seeing I think is a certain surprise and bewilderment and dismay that we find ourselves dealing with a country like China in this way.”

Anthony Bubalo, deputy director of the Lowy Institute, agreed with the notion, saying that in the past, “business and national security didn’t really intersect. Now they do.” The new situation creates a need for new habits, for dialogue among stakeholders with very different perspectives.  

To me, peace and development remain the general trend in today’s world. We should keep our arms and minds open to learn new things and to adapt to new situations so that we all can improve ourselves and make the world a better place to live in. I would certainly vote for the panda and koala pair to represent the current nature of China-Australia relations.

(With a doctoral degree in communications from the China University of Communications, the author has been working in the field of international journalism for 30 years. The article reflects the author's opinion, and not necessarily the view of CGTN. )