Australia must be ready for the "possibility" of a major international conflict between western and eastern powers should Xi Jinping's China decide to take Taiwan, according to ASPI Senior Analyst Dr Malcolm Davis.
It comes as tension has further escalated between China and Taiwan after Chinese fighter jets were seen off the island's coast.
"It's a possibility – we shouldn't kid ourselves that that sort of major power conflict couldn't happen," Dr Davis told Sky News Australia.
"And you mention Russia – I have no doubt that they would try to exploit the situation perhaps by making a move against NATO's eastern frontier in the Baltic states.
"So yes that is a possibility but we have to be ready for it – the alternative to do nothing is to basically let China have its way in the Indo-Pacific region and that would be almost catastrophic."
Dr Davis said China fully expects to face US and allied nations in conflict should it attempt to take Taiwan.
"I think they're quite ready for that.
"When you look at how the PLA's modernisation has occurred over the last few years – they're actively preparing to fight and defeat the United States in war.
"So they understand that – they know what the stakes are – and they cannot afford to let Taiwan remain de facto independent.
"From Xi's perspective – they must take Taiwan and they're going to certainly try."
It comes as tension has further escalated between China and Taiwan after Chinese fighter jets were seen off the island's coast.
"It's a possibility – we shouldn't kid ourselves that that sort of major power conflict couldn't happen," Dr Davis told Sky News Australia.
"And you mention Russia – I have no doubt that they would try to exploit the situation perhaps by making a move against NATO's eastern frontier in the Baltic states.
"So yes that is a possibility but we have to be ready for it – the alternative to do nothing is to basically let China have its way in the Indo-Pacific region and that would be almost catastrophic."
Dr Davis said China fully expects to face US and allied nations in conflict should it attempt to take Taiwan.
"I think they're quite ready for that.
"When you look at how the PLA's modernisation has occurred over the last few years – they're actively preparing to fight and defeat the United States in war.
"So they understand that – they know what the stakes are – and they cannot afford to let Taiwan remain de facto independent.
"From Xi's perspective – they must take Taiwan and they're going to certainly try."
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Francisco Gimeno - BC Analyst Australian News channels are doing some interesting programs on the possibility of a war with China, possibly caused by a Taiwan's invasion in the next future. And many specialists announce that China could do that before 2025. So, it's not sensationalist headlines what they look for, but a reflection on what is going on now and what one of the most plausible paths would be. China works for the long term, but it can misread the signs from USA and other nations and expand its might over Taiwan and the rest of the Pacific. That, undoubtedly would cause a conflict. And let's not forget that modern wars are not just fought with men and weapons. Political shifts, cyberwar, economic hits, etc, are part of the new era. Let's try to avoid this, but also be aware and prepare if needed.