Peter Dutton raises the possibility of military action with China over Taiwan

Defence Minister Peter Dutton says Australia wants to be a good neighbour but we must be “realistic” about China’s rogue behaviour in the region.

A military battle over Taiwan’s independence “should not be discounted” Defence Minister Peter Dutton has warned as tensions with China increase.

Beijing has long sought to bring the small island back under Chinese rule, but a recent escalation of military action and rhetoric has become a cause of concern for Australia and other allies in the region.

Mr Dutton said Australia must be “realistic” about China’s antagonistic behaviour, saying: “There is militarisation of bases across the region. Obviously there is a significant amount of activity and there is an animosity between Taiwan and China.”

Defence Minister Peter Dutton has raised the possibility of a clash with China over Taiwan. Picture: Mandel NGAN / AFP)

Asked about the prospects of a “battle” over Taiwan, Mr Dutton said: “I don’t think it should be discounted”.

Mr Dutton said Australia wanted to continue being a “good neighbour” in the region, adding “nobody wants to see conflict”.

“But we do have a difference of opinion with the ideals of the Communist Party of China. Let’s be very frank about that,” he said.

Australia does not formally recognise Taiwan at a diplomatic level, but has regularly called for a “peaceful resolution” of differences between China and the small independent nation.

Earlier this month, Australian Defence Force chief Angus Campbell warned an outbreak of war over Taiwan would be “disastrous” for the region.

New Defence Minister Peter Dutton speaks with Australian military personnel. Picture: Max Bree

“Australia is very clear that the future of China and Taiwan needs to be a future that is resolved peacefully,” General Campbell told a virtual session of the Raisina Dialogue in India.

“There is a pathway to a future through peaceful dialogue, but it’s a hard path and it needs to be worked.”

Two weeks ago Taiwan’s government claimed 25 Chinese military jets breached its defence zone in a major incursion.

The US has since issued guidelines allowing its officials to meet more freely with representatives from China, prompting a warning from Beijing not to “play with fire”.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian urged the US to “not send wrong signals to Taiwan independence forces’’.