A group of leading Australian academics has penned an open letter to declare vigorous support for the national debate about Chinese Communist Party-linked influence and interference, expressing a firm belief that the scrutiny is "essential" and not motivated by racism.

According to the scholars, who describe themselves as "deeply concerned", the debate is necessary to confront Beijing-linked influence activities in Australia and protect the nation's intellectual freedom, democratic rights and national security.

The message is a public response to a letter released last week by a separate group of academics – including renowned expert Geremie Barmé and the first Australian ambassador to China, Stephen Fitzgerald – that urged the Turnbull government to delay its foreign influence legislation and warned that Chinese Australians are being stigmatised in an increasingly polarised debate.

That group said the debate needed to calm down and expressed scepticism that China was exporting its political system to Australia or undermining Australian sovereignty.

The new letter rejects "self-censorship", defends the current debate and argues Australia's "mature multicultural society" has the capacity to discuss these issues without escalating ethnic tension.