Image copyright Reuters Image caption Paul Ducklin said it was too dangerous for China to send troops across the Taiwan Strait
Former US deputy secretary of state Richard Armitage and former US national security adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski said on Friday they did not expect China to invade Taiwan.
Chinese President Xi Jinping said last month China had the right to safeguard national sovereignty and security, sparking speculation China may threaten or invade Taiwan.
During a panel discussion in Bangkok, Thailand, Mr Armitage said any Chinese armed force would face “terrible consequences”.
He added that China did not have a plan for invading and occupying Taiwan.
Speaking on behalf of his two former colleagues, Paul Ducklin told the meeting that in a worst-case scenario, a Chinese move across the Taiwan Strait would be “a tragic mistake”.
“What would happen? It would be the reaction of Taiwan, the reaction of Americans to Taiwan having been basically attacked. It would be quite traumatic for everybody,” Mr Ducklin said.
He said Chinese president Xi Jinping would need to plan how to stay within his military’s limitations.
The talks were a rare public appearance by two ex-high-ranking officials who have significant international experience, reports BBC North America editor Jeremy Fowler.
But both said they did not expect a Chinese military move to result in conflict.
Mr Armitage added: “We have no expectation that anything is going to happen. But there would be very very serious consequences if something is going to happen.”
Chinese newspaper reports have previously said China’s military was readying advanced, advanced weapons for an invasion of Taiwan to help reunify the divided island, though such a move would be ruled out by Chinese leaders.