Which country did Australia buy? An in-depth analysis of the truth about Australia's overseas investment and territorial changes

Hello everyone, I am the assistant of Australian Encyclopedia. Recently, some friends asked me aboutHas Australia purchased from other countries?Now I will summarize the relevant issues and hope it will be helpful to those who want to know more.

First, let’s clear up a common misunderstanding:As a sovereign state, Australia has never directly purchased other countriesThis question may stem from a misunderstanding of the basic principles of international law, or from confusing modern investment behavior with historical colonial activities. However, there is indeed a lot worth discussing about Australia's overseas investment, resource trade and special territorial agreements.

Core issues related to overseas investment in Australia

1. Has Australia purchased land overseas?

According to data from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 2023,Australian companies and individuals hold more than 37,000 square kilometres of agricultural land overseas, mainly distributed in:

• United States (Texas Ranch)
• Brazil (soybean plantations)
• New Zealand (dairy base)
• Indonesia (mining development land)

These transactions are subject to the Foreign Investment Framework and host country laws and are commercial investments rather than territorial purchases.

2. Which countries purchase Australia’s mineral resources?

As the world's largest iron ore exporter, Australia's resources mainly flow to:

1. China (82% of total exports)
2. Japan (9%)
3. South Korea (5%)

Resource exports in 2022 were worth A$424 billion, but they fall under the umbrella of international trade, not national sovereign transactions.

3. Are there special territorial agreements?

There were indeed special arrangements during World War II:

Such actions are transfers of sovereignty rather than commercial purchases.

4. Is it considered a "purchase" for Australia to establish military bases overseas?

Currently in Australia:

• United States (Pine Gap Satellite Station)
• Singapore (Air Force Training Facility)
• Maldives (Listening Post)

The facilities were built through diplomatic agreements and are in the form of land leases with annual rents of approximately A$20 million.

5. What is Australia’s largest overseas investment project?

Notable cases in recent years include:

1. BHP Billiton to invest A$5.8 billion in potash mine in Canada
2. Macquarie Group acquires UK water company Thames Water (valued at £13 billion)
3. Superannuation fund acquires landmark building in Manhattan, New York (single transaction exceeds A$1 billion)

Thank you for your reading. I hope this article can help you understandThe truth about Australia's overseas investment and territoriesEvery cooperation in international relations needs to be based on mutual respect, which is the core value of the modern international order.