An American demand comes with awkward timing for Anthony Albanese's China trip

Anthony Albanese's highly-anticipated trip to China has coincided with a report that the Americans want to know what Australia will do if Beijing launches war with Taiwan.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's trip to China has - coincidentally or not - come at a time when the US is reportedly demanding Australia explain what it would do in the event of a war with China over Taiwan. Source: AAP / Lukas Coch

As Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was receiving a Shanghai Port Football Club jersey emblazoned with his name and strolling the world famous Bund waterfront, he was also getting a message from Washington.

It first came via a media report.

The Financial Times had reported an anonymously sourced story on Saturday that the Pentagon was pressuring Australia and Japan to make clear what role they would play if the United States went to war over Taiwan.

The US itself holds its own policy of strategic ambiguity over the potential to any conflict and the role it would play.

Japan's defence ministry released a statement saying it was difficult to answer hypothetical questions on the "Taiwan emergency".

Since the article was released the US under secretary for Defense Elbridge Colby took to social media in response to a post about the story. He did not dispute the sourced report, underscored the US defence policy of "peace through strength", and again urged allies to increase defence spending.

Asked what role Australia would play if the US and China went to war over Taiwan, the prime minister said: "Our aim of investing in our capability and as well investing in our relationships is about advancing our peace and security in our region. That's our objective. And that is why we invest in our region."

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was presented with a Shanghai Port jersey by former Socceroo and now Shanghai Port coach Kevin Muscat (centre) on Sunday. Source: SBS News / Anna Henderson

This is awkward timing for a debate over Taiwan, coming while Australia's leader is on a five-day trip to Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu to talk trade, tourism, decarbonisation and even a Panda breeding centre.

The main engagement will be a one-on-one meeting between Anthony Albanese and the Chinese President Xi Jinping.

If Australia's defence policy on Beijing's long-held ambitions for "reunification" with Taiwan wasn't yet a key agenda item — it will be now.

Albanese's Defence Industry Minister was the first to be asked whether Australia would commit to joining the US if it entered a war with China over Taiwanese sovereignty.

Pat Conroy ruled out committing to such a conflict ahead of time, reiterating the government's longstanding position.

"The decision to commit Australian troops to a conflict will be made by the government of the day, not in advance," he said.

"Sovereignty will always be prioritised."

Asked about Colby's calls on defence spending, Albanese said Australia was already "considerably increasing" defence spending, investing $57 billion over 10 years.

The red carpet rolled out for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as he arrives in Shanghai, China for a diplomatic visit focussing on tourism and defence. Source: SBS News / Anna Henderson

"We have contributed as well to AUKUS already. Going forward, $1 billion being forwarded to help increase the industrial capacity in the United States and we'll continue to invest in whatever we need to improve our capability," he said.

Australia's AUKUS deal is under review in the US and defence spending is a major pressure point. So far Anthony Albanese has resisted putting an increased share of GDP figure forward to appease the White House.