Australia’s response to a Chinese invasion of Taiwan

New in 2023

In 2023, 80% said support when asked about accepting Taiwanese refugees into Australia.

Question Australia’s response to a Chinese invasion of Taiwan

If China were to invade Taiwan, would you support or oppose Australia, acting together with the United States, taking the following actions.

Responses from 2023.

  1. 0%
  2. 25%
  3. 50%
  4. 75%
  5. 100%
Accepting Taiwanese refugees into Australia
80
19
99
Australia imposing economic and diplomatic sanctions on China
76
22
98
Australia sending arms and military supplies to the Taiwanese government
64
34
98
Sending Australian military personnel to Taiwan to help defend it from China
42
56
98
Using the Australian Navy to help prevent China from imposing a blockade around Taiwan
61
36
97
  • Support
  • Oppose
Total
All groups

2026 observation

In the event of conflict between the United States and China over Taiwan, Australians are largely supportive of providing assistance to Taiwan. Strong majorities say they would support accepting Taiwanese refugees into Australia (72%) and imposing diplomatic sanctions on China (69%). Smaller majorities say they would support sending arms and military supplies to Taiwan (61%) or deploying the Royal Australian Navy to help prevent China from imposing a blockade around Taiwan (60%). Sending Australian military personnel to help defend Taiwan from China attracted the weakest support (44%) among Australians, with a slim majority (53%) saying they would ‘oppose’ such a deployment.