Fifty influential Australians have urged their country to strike a balance in its relations with China and the United States to prevent the escalation of great-power competition and secure lasting peace.

The 50, including former political party leaders, foreign ministers, state premiers, academics and writers, issued a statement on Wednesday calling on Canberra to engage in "activist middle-power diplomacy". This approach aims to reduce tensions and promote mutually beneficial trade between Australia's top ally, the US, and its largest trading partner, China.

Chen Hong, director of the Australian Studies Center at East China Normal University in Shanghai, said the statement reflects the foresight and insight of influential Australians who recognize the importance of peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

"The world has been marred by uncertainties and disturbances in recent years, with the US exacerbating disputes and frictions in various regions," he said.

He highlighted the significance of the Sino-US San Francisco summit held in November because it established a platform for dialogue and resolving sensitive issues in bilateral relations. The statement by the 50 Australians aims to use this opportunity to push for detente in Sino-US relations and maintain peace and stability in the region.

One of those who signed the statement, Bob Carr, a former Australian foreign minister and former premier of New South Wales, told the national broadcaster the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that collaboration between China and the US should be expanded and adversarial competition reduced.

The US has been taking measures to maintain its dominance in the Asia-Pacific and views China's rise as a threat to its position, he said. He also referred to a warning by the late former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger that the deteriorating Sino-US relationship poses dangers to the whole world.

Uncertainties regarding the US stance toward China are increasing as the presidential election in November approaches, Chen said. Some politicians in the US and other countries may engage in anti-China rhetoric for political purposes, he said.

"Recent anti-China sentiment in the US may be echoed by some right-wing Australian politicians, in the context that there is a federal election in Australia next year. That's why these prominent Australians are sending out this warning at this critical time."

This concern is also mirrored by Carr, who said "there is a challenge with the hawks in Australia".

The 50 Australians understand that the US government's hegemony in the Asia-Pacific region does not align with Australia's interests, Chen said.

Strategic independence

Li Jianjun, director of the Australian Studies Center at Beijing Foreign Studies University, said the statement by the 50 reflects some Australians' desire for their country to maintain strategic independence.

"Carr and another former foreign minister, Gareth Evans, have called for Australia's foreign policy to be more independent and have been critical of its overreliance on the US, especially of (the trilateral alliance) AUKUS," Li said. "They argue that this alliance could lead Australia into the danger of war, which is not in its national interests."

Chen said: "The signatories are urging the Australian government to handle regional issues prudently and reduce nuclear risks, demonstrating their opposition to Australia becoming a strategic victim of US geopolitical rivalries."

Since Anthony Albanese became Australia's Prime Minister in May 2022 the country has adopted a new approach toward China, pushing to improve bilateral relations. The 50 signatories hope to appeal to the government to continue this positive momentum, rather than reverting to the confrontational path pursued by the previous administration, Chen said.

"The Australian government needs to heed rational voices like the 50 signatories and make informed choices. Australia must cease blindly following the US' hegemonic strategies that only harm its relationship with China. Instead it needs to strive to build a mutually beneficial relationship with China that serves Australia's interests."

Chen and Li said Australia can help ease tensions between China and the US. However, it is unclear how the Australian government will respond to the statement, they said.