Taiwanese Foreign Minister warns his country is preparing for war with China, asks Australia for help

Taiwan's Foreign Minister warns his nation is preparing for war with China and urges Australia to increase intelligence sharing and security cooperation as Beijing intensifies a campaign of military intimidation.

Key points: Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu warns of looming war with China and urges closer cooperation with Australia

Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu warns of looming war with China and urges closer cooperation with Australia Dozens of Chinese military aircraft have flown into Taiwanese airspace in recent days

Dozens of Chinese military aircraft have flown into Taiwanese airspace in recent days Mr Wu has also thanked Australia for supporting Taiwan's bid to join a new trade pact

Dozens of aircraft from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) have flown sorties into Taiwan's Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) since Friday, prompting the self-ruled island to scramble its own military jets.

Speaking to the ABC's China Tonight program, Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu declared that if the PLA were to launch an actual strike, his democratic state would be ready to repel it.

"The defence of Taiwan is in our own hands, and we are absolutely committed to that," Mr Wu has told the ABC's Stan Grant in an interview to be broadcast on Monday evening.

"If China is going to launch a war against Taiwan we will fight to the end, and that is our commitment.

"I'm sure that if China is going to launch an attack against Taiwan, I think they are going to suffer tremendously as well."

The minister from Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party believes other like-minded countries such as Australia should now come to the aid of his besieged nation by developing closer ties.

"We would like to engage in security or intelligence exchanges with other like-minded partners, Australia included, so Taiwan is better prepared to deal with the war situation.

"And so far, our relations with Australia [are] very good and that is what we appreciate", Mr Wu added.

China sent fighter jets into Taiwan's airspace last week. ( AP: Taiwan Ministry of Defence

Australia does not formally recognise Taiwan diplomatically, but the federal government regularly calls for a "peaceful resolution" of differences between China and the small independent nation through dialogue and without the threat or use of force or coercion.

A communique issued after last month's AUSMIN meetings between Australia and the United States declared that "both sides stated their intent to strengthen ties with Taiwan, which is a leading democracy and a critical partner for both countries".

As well as closer security ties, the Taiwanese Foreign Minister thanked Australia for supporting its bid to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact, now known as the CPTPP, which China also wants to enter.

"As far as I know, Australia has been one of those most vocal members in supporting Taiwan's participation in CPTPP.

"We have been discussing with each other privately for quite some time and we understand the Australian support and we appreciate the Australian support."

Earlier this year, America's most senior diplomat in Canberra also confirmed Australia and the United States were discussing contingency plans in case a military conflict erupts over Taiwan.

Last year, Frances Adamson, the then-head of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, warned she was more concerned about a "crisis" in the Taiwan strait than at any other point in her diplomatic career.

Taiwan endorses new AUKUS pact, won't seek its own nuclear submarines

Taiwan says it will not acquire nuclear submarines. ( Supplied: Defence

Taiwan has also welcomed the recent establishment of the AUKUS strategic partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, as well as the growing activity between the Quad allies, the US, India, Australia and Japan.

"We are pleased to see that the like-minded partners of Taiwan — the United States and the UK and Australia — are working closer with each other to acquire more advanced defence articles so that we can defend Indo-Pacific.

"Australia is a great country, and I'm very glad to see that Australia is going to shoulder more responsibility to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific," Mr Wu said.

The Taiwanese Foreign Minister said that unlike Australia, his nation would not be trying to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, because it has a "different war strategy".

"We need to go asymmetric, and we need to have a different type of philosophy in defeating China if there's going to be a war — so nuclear-powered submarines is not something that we are seeking".

Defence analyst Professor Clinton Fernandes from the University of New South Wales warns it would be difficult for the US and allies to prevent any invasion attempt by China.

"The military centre of gravity is China's air defence system in the south, it has the ability to deny the United States control of the air — if the United States cannot control the air, it cannot win either at land or at sea."

Professor Fernandes doesn't believe China will launch any military strike on Taiwan before next year's Beijing Winter Olympics but warns something more coercive is likely ahead of the US presidential elections in 2024.

"The defence of Taiwan is predicated on a Chinese invasion – but if China's main effort is not an invasion but a blockade, then what? Taiwan doesn't have a Plan B – that's the big problem."