FOR 64% of Australians, the possibility of a military conflict between the United States and China over Taiwan was seen as a “critical threat.”
The 2023 Lowy Institute poll showed most Australians are in favor of supporting Taiwan in an event of a Chinese attack by slapping Beijing with economic sanctions, arms supplies, or using the navy to prevent a blockade.
The majority of the respondents however are not in favor of sending troops to the self-ruled island in case war broke out.
Meanwhile, 82% of those surveyed supported the security alliance between Australia and the U.S., although three-quarters worry that it would draw Canberra into war in Asia.
Meanwhile, Canberra says it is opposed to any unilateral attempt to change the status quo in Taiwan while it is still unclear whether the United States would respond militarily to an attack on the island, despite US President Joe Biden’s assurances on the matter.
Earlier this week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to China for a high-profile diplomatic mission.
At the end of his two-day visit, Blinken held a surprise 35-minute meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, reiterating U.S. support of the “One China” policy adding that Washington does not support Taiwanese independence.
In an interview last year, Taiwanese foreign minister Joseph Wu said the self-ruled island will defend itself and is not asking other countries to fight for it as it is not clear which nations will stand beside it in an event of an attack.
