CHINA not intimidated by Trump, China in 2017

CHINA will not be intimidated by Donald Trump as its ambitions to become a stronger military power look set to grow even further this year.

This is just one of the predictions forecast by academics and experts from the University of Sydney who spell out what issues the Asian powerhouse is likely to face in 2017.

From military disputes to economic issues, Beijing faces a number of challenges over the coming months.

China’s relationship with the Philippines will be tested as will its relationship with its northeast Asian neighbours, according to experts.

Ashley Townshend, an expert in US-China relations, predicted ongoing developments in the South China Sea will be a bone of contention between the US and China in the coming months.

But he warned Beijing would not be intimidated by the new Trump administration which had developed a more hawkish approach compared to Barack Obama’s team.

Mr Townshend, a research fellow in the University of Sydney’s United States Studies Centre, said this hard line approach risked making a Beijing a “more truculent” partner for the US.