"What all of us in the region want is not to have to choose between our traditional security partner, the United States, and our major economic partner, China," said former Australian Foreign Minister Gareth Evans.

Speaking to CGTN during the World Peace Forum underway in Beijing, Evans said countries across the Asia-Pacific hope Beijing and Washington can manage their differences through dialogue and avoid turning competition into confrontation.

He added that this year's Xi-Trump summit could prove significant if it marks the beginning of a more stable and predictable relationship between the world's two largest economies.