ANU’s Emeritus Professor of Strategic Studies Professor Hugh White says China is an “exceptionally powerful and exceptionally determined” country as the nation looks to lead Eastern Asia and the Western Pacific.

Mr White said pushing China would have a high chance of conflict.

“I don’t think the United States can defeat China in a naval war over an issue like Taiwan for example,” he told Sky News Australia.

“China is going to be a very important part of the strategic order in Asia.”