China is keeping things “deliberately opaque” – an established mechanism in Chinese state craft in order to make moves without articulating strategy, according to Melbourne University Professor Michael Wesley.

He said the Chinese government has claimed in recent days it has the capability to “isolate Taiwan from forces that may be sent to help defend Taiwan”.

“There is one pure rationale for that sort of rhetorical strategy,” Professor Wesley told Sky News.

“That is to increase doubt, increase fear, and increase uncertainty in Taiwan about what China’s intentions might be.”