Australia's China explores the multifaceted and dynamic Australian encounter with China from the beginning of the Sino-Japanese War in 1937 to the present. This relationship, which was variously enriching, baffling and antagonistic, is traced through official papers, literature, film and interviews. Both popular and official reactions to China are examined, highlighting aspects of Australian identity and self-image. The competing and shifting perceptions of China also reflect the broader East-West encounter.