Australia's top diplomat says the Chinese government is "dogged by insecurity" and holds a "deeply defensive mindset".
In her final week as secretary of the Department of Foreign and Trade (DFAT), Frances Adamson has addressed the poor relationship between Australia and its largest trading partner.
Speaking at the National Press Club on Wednesday, Ms Adamson said Beijing often perceived external threats even as it pushed its own interests over other nations.
"Few really grasp that this great power is still dogged by insecurity as much as driven by ambition, that it has a deeply defensive mindset perceiving external threats even as it pushes its interests over those of others."
China kicks 'massive own goal'
The Adelaide born and educated career diplomat will take up the role of South Australian governor in October, after five years heading DFAT.
The normally cautious DFAT boss also said China had kicked a "massive own goal" when it last year issued a list of 14 demands to the Australian government to improve relations.
The list of grievances the Chinese embassy compiled against Australia included the government's criticisms of Beijing's activities in the South China Sea and human rights abuses.
The DFAT secretary said she believed the move backfired terribly, something highlighted by the way world leaders reacted at this month's G7 meeting in Cornwall.
"I couldn't understand why they did it and I don't know that they really understood themselves exactly what they were doing," she said.
Her speech came as a new Lowy Institute poll showed more than 60 per cent of Australians saw Beijing as an increasing security threat, responding negatively to Chinese investment in Australia and Chinese environmental policies, governance and military activity.
