Former prime minister Paul Keating says former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi “shares not a jot of identity with Australian national interests” after the veteran American lawmaker branded his comments on Taiwan as “stupid”.

In an interview broadcast by ABC’s 7.30 program last night, Pelosi challenged Keating’s claim that Taiwan was “Chinese real estate”, and that it was not in Australia’s interest to join the US in defending the self-governed democracy if China invaded.

“That’s ridiculous, it’s not Chinese real estate, and he should know that. I have no idea about Keating, but I think that it was a stupid statement to make,” Pelosi said.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Keating hit back, citing Pelosi’s “recklessly indulgent visit to Taiwan in 2022”, which nearly brought the US and China to a military confrontation.

“Both our countries believe it is in no one’s interest for Taiwan to be subject of some sort of violent takeover,” Keating said.

“Obviously, in being asked a truncated question by 7.30, Nancy Pelosi would have been unaware that I had also said that Taiwan ‘will get resolved socially and politically over time’ – i.e. between the two parties, without the need of confrontation or violence.

“That said, I make this clear. In public comment, I represent the national interests of Australia, not the national interests of the United States nor indeed, the interests of Taiwan. I have remarked a number of times that so-called democratic choices by Taiwan are not central or interests vital to Australia any more than say, the absence of democratic forms in countries like Cambodia or Laos are vital to Australia.

“The ABC, as the national broadcaster, would do better to represent Australian strategic interests when it has the opportunity, rather than being excited by sensationalist comment from a person who shares not a jot of identity with Australian national interests.”