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

Diplomacy

Letters

Published: 11:30am, 12 Mar 2023

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A recent warning that Australia is at risk of war with China within three years is a sensationalist claim that is not grounded in reality. While it is true that relations between the two countries remain strained, and war is not entirely out of the question if tensions surrounding Taiwan continue to rise, it is important to recognise the complexity of the relationship and not reduce it to a single sound bite.

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.

To this end, it is important that Australia continues to engage with China and not succumb to alarmist rhetoric. This means prioritising dialogue and engagement, and working to build trust. It also means recognising areas of disagreement and tension, which can be addressed through constructive dialogue and negotiation.

Ultimately, the key to ensuring peace and stability in the region is to take a nuanced approach. Australia should work to build bridges with China and leverage its experience as a mediator to help defuse tensions in the region.

Harry Harding, Queensland, Australia

As the US-China stalemate drags on, everyone loses

The op-ed, “China’s resurgent economic growth will be a boon to the world in 2023” (February 2), came as an encouraging message not only to Hongkongers, but to everyone on the planet. But one Chinese balloon over the United States appears to be undoing efforts to lower tensions between the two countries.

The US-China row is like the fabled stalemate between the snipe and the clam, both trapped and neither willing to let go. But if neither of them does, both will almost certainly perish. The Covid-19 pandemic over the last three years has already put the brakes on the world economy. Another blow could be devastating.

To cool down the situation, the US and China should adopt smarter, more flexible diplomacy to untie the Gordian knot. We have to set aside differences in political ideology, including arguments over democracy.

Could we not be more pragmatic? The US and China may have their political differences but economically, they are inseparable partners, even friends. As the saying goes, there are no permanent friends or enemies.

The US and China can be partners in tackling climate change and other major issues. They can also be colleagues in improving the economic well-being of the world.

Why labour in vain over the costly title of world No 1? The glory won’t last and the victor is constantly in danger of being replaced by another member of the family of nations, so why should we pursue it so eagerly?

Lo Wai Kong, Tsuen Wan

China must brace for a long tech war

The US-China tech battle has intensified dramatically since the beginning of the year. US export controls over American chipmaking technology have become a reality and more restrictions on Chinese apps appear imminent. In recent years, the US has identified China’s advanced technologies as potential threats to its national security, amid concerns that US exports were inadvertently helping Beijing’s ambitions.

Tensions have heated up as the US adds more Chinese entities to its trade blacklist, not to mention the restrictions imposed on Huawei and the recent congressional concerns about TikTok.

This is a familiar story: an ambitious newcomer challenges a dominant leader and ends up as a powerhouse. The inherited ideological differences between the US and China are worsening things, leaving the countries with shrinking opportunities to build trust.

China is facing an escalated tech war in both scale and severity. It is hampered in several steps of chipmaking. It faces an American administration whose stance is hardening, as well as international efforts to form a chip alliance against it. Meanwhile, China’s supply chains are still recovering from the vulnerabilities exposed by the pandemic and confidence needs to be restored in the security of its supply.

Beijing needs to find an answer, or perhaps multiple answers. China could try to achieve chip self-sufficiency through even more generous subsidies. It could also retaliate by filing complaints internationally. But this might present a dilemma for Chinese companies with subsidiaries listed overseas, which could then be repeatedly required to explain their Chinese ties.

Companies caught in between will have to find ways to survive. Besides, US sanctions have not entirely forbidden American companies from doing business with China.

Xichang Yang, Hung Hom