The relationship between Australia and China has already reached an all time low, but now senior political figures are starting to talk publicly about war.

In the past week both the new defence minister, Peter Dutton, and senior public servant Mike Pezzullo, have discussed the possibility of an armed conflict with China.

Today, Emeritus Professor of Strategic Studies at the Australian National University Hugh White on how likely a hot war with China really is, and why our government seems to be talking up the possibility.

Guest: Emeritus Professor of Strategic Studies at the Australian National University and contributor for The Saturday Paper Hugh White.

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