We argue for a more independent Australian foreign policy as former Prime Ministers Gough Whitlam, Malcolm Fraser, Bob Hawke, Paul Keating andKevin Rudd have advocated.

We can still havea strongalliance with the USA,our very important partner. The USA can be a great asset and global good citizen if onlyit can change course to create peace not wars. Many ordinary Americans would takethis course if they really are given a free choice.

The same can besaid forthe great majority ofordinary Australians. Australia can be a great mediatorand peace maker between the USA and China and for that matter any other places where we are needed. We have done some great jobs in this area in the past through our diplomatic talents and skills ever since the United Nations was established.

Several upstanding personalities have warned about the current path Australia is taking regarding ourAustraliaChina relations. The obvious one are our living PMs/Ministers like Paul Keating, Kevin Rudd, Bob Carr to name just a few. Many others learned people include:

• National security cowboys put nations interest at unnecessary risk(Paul Kelly);
• former ASIO Chief Dennis Richardson said putting most things under national security umbrella would significantly dilute the quality of advice and expertise going to the government;
• James Currans Canberras wolverines threaten our connection (Australian Financial Review, 8 May2020) etc.

Are our Governmentand Opposition, Ministers and Shadow Ministers listening?

A more independent foreign policy canstill speak up against China and the USA when it is in Australias interests to do so. If we have evidence of political interference by China and the USA, they should be exposed and countered. Australia should consider assess its interests critically beforegoing to war again with the USA, especially against China, and should voice its concerns to both. The answer is so obvious as everyone will lose out badly in the conflict. Americas trade war with China is also not in Australias interest and a more independent stance willbenefit Australia more.

The sad thing about these anti-China media stories, is that they were successful in polarising ordinary Australians to hate China as in the USA and demonise a nation of 1.4 billion people who bear no ill will against the people of Australia or the USA. The proudlyguarded sacral principle that the Westernmedia has, is aiming forfiercely independent reporting to earn their reputation. This has been tarnished by some of our so called independent major newspapers, in particular the Murdoch and Nine Entertainment Co. (which took over the newspapers of the former Fairfax Media). Sadly, even our previously well respected ABC and SBS are also being influencedrecently.

The anti-Chinese bias of media commentators on China is discussed byPaul Malone(Pearls and Irritations, 13 May),How is it that commentators on China get away with outlandish statements that dont pass the most minimum scrutiny?

The world is but one nation and its peoples one country as this pandemic has demonstrated to us.We are one but we are many. We are all in it togetherto build a healthier and prosperousplanet for all of us, not just some of us. A war between the USA and China will destroy us all as we are all so interdependent on one another. Let us have a proper dialogue to prevent it and move forward to a brighter tomorrow.

Dr Ka Sing Chua is National Senior Adviser CCCA and the National Chinese Australian Leadership Group.