According to research, Australians are more fearful of being attacked by China than their Taiwanese counterparts.
One in 10 Australians believe China will attack their country, double the number of Taiwanese who fear a similar offensive, according to the Australia Institute.
The institute’s International Affairs and Security Program also found that nearly one in four Australians believe Beijing will launch an attack on Taiwan in the near future, compared to just one in 20 islanders.
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And about 70% of Australia and Taiwan believe the island should become an independent state if it can maintain peaceful relations with the Chinese government.
The research reveals a growing fear of Beijing and the possibility of war.
Amid heightened tensions in the Taiwan Strait following US President Nancy Pelosi’s visit to the island this month, the Australia Institute interviewed two groups of 1,000 people, one in Australia and one in Taiwan .
Beijing fired at least 11 missiles near Taiwan after the trip, with the island’s government claiming it was a mock invasion.
About 60% of participants in both groups said their country would be defeated in a war with China.
Men from both countries were more confident that their nation could be defended from Beijing than the women surveyed.
The research found that slightly more Australians (85%) than Taiwanese (80%) perceived China as aggressive.
But both groups said it was the United States that was the aggressor.
Almost double the number of Australian men (49%) and women (26%) think the country would be ready for conflict if Beijing threatened Australia with military action.
The vast majority of Australian and Taiwanese participants believe that it is in everyone’s interest that China and the United States work to maintain peace.
International Affairs and Security Program Director Allan Behm said it was “astonishing” that more Australians were fearful of an attack.
“The more the anti-China lobby beats the drums of war, the more Australians fear China,” he said.
“This research indicates that rhetoric about China and fearmongering around the risk of war have had an impact on public opinion.
“The findings support the case for a reset of Australia-China relations and the way we are having this important national conversation.”
The Albanian government has urged Beijing to cease operations for fear of possible “miscalculations” and reaffirmed its commitment to the one-China policy.
Mr Behm praised Foreign Secretary Penny Wong for her handling of the relationship.
In an address to the National Press Club, Chinese Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian said there was “no compromise” on Taiwan and his country’s 1.4 billion people would decide its future.
He also said that the 23 million people living in Taiwan would undergo a re-education on China once reunified.
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