The Australian National University’s Susan Travis says the drop in Chinese investment in Australia is ‘no cause for alarm.’ According to the ANU’s Chinese Investment in Australia database, the country invested $4.8 billion into the national economy last year, down from $9.6 billion in 2017. That figure is substantially lower from the high of $15.
8 billion in 2016. Ms Travis has told Sky News that, in relative terms, China’s investment in Australia ‘is not that’ substantial compared to Western nations. She says it's also important to realise traditionally foreign direct investment is ‘extremely volatile’ and naturally cyclical, and that Chinese investment in Australia will likely increase again over time.