Prominent Australians Call for US-China Detente to Avoid Conflict

Group urges Australia to play 'activist middle power' role, likening proposed detente to US-USSR accommodation in the 1970s.

A group of 50 prominent Australians, including former foreign ministers Bob Carr and Gareth Evans, have called for a detente between the US and China to avoid the risk of Australia being dragged into a conflict.
The group suggests that Australia should play an 'activist middle power' role to reduce tensions between the US and China, advocating for respect for international law and discouraging the use of force in resolving international disputes.
The proposed detente, an easing of hostility or strained relations, is likened to the accommodation negotiated in the 1970s between the US and the USSR.
The group believes that the upcoming meeting of leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Melbourne could provide a platform for discussions on this issue.
The group acknowledges that achieving such a detente will not be easy, but they argue that it is necessary for maintaining peace and prosperity in the region.