Letters | Australia, cool the China war rhetoric and build bridges instead
- Readers discuss the state of Sino-Australian ties, the contest for global dominance, and how China faces a long tech war with the US
Any talk of war is premature and unhelpful.
Instead of stoking the flames of conflict, it is crucial that Australia takes a diplomatic approach to defuse tensions. This can involve engaging in dialogue with Chinese officials, emphasising trade and economic ties, and working to build bridges between the two countries.
One avenue Australia could pursue is a mediating role. A classic example of Australia’s prowess in mediation is the key role the country played in facilitating the peace talks that ended the decade-long conflict in Bougainville, a region of Papua New Guinea, in 2001.
Of course, this is not to say that mediation will be easy or that there are not significant challenges to be overcome. But it is important to recognise that diplomatic efforts are the best way to prevent conflict and that Australia is well-placed to play a constructive role in this regard.