TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A new poll indicated that if China invaded Taiwan, 60% of Americans would support sending the U.S. military to help defend it.

In a survey published by the nonprofit, nonpartisan Eurasia Group Foundation (EGF) on Wednesday (Oct. 11) titled "Order and Disorder," Americans were asked, "If China and Taiwan go to war, considering the high cost and likely casualties, do you think the United States should commit American servicemembers to help defend Taiwan?" Despite the high potential price of a conflict with China, 60% of respondents supported military intervention to protect Taiwan, while 40% opposed it.

More specifically, 18% strongly supported intervention and 42 somewhat supported intervention, while 27% were somewhat opposed, and 13 were strongly opposed. By party affiliation, Republicans were more likely than Democrats or Independents to support taking military action.

Among Democrats, 17% strongly supported intervention, 45 somewhat supported it, 26% somewhat opposed it, and 12% strongly opposed it. For Republicans, the percentage strongly supporting intervention was significantly higher at 24%, while Independents had the highest percentage strongly opposing intervention at 14%.

Mark Hannah, a senior fellow at the EGF, was cited by AFP as stating that the poll's results are likely related to the negative views that Americans hold toward China amid trade tensions with Beijing and its poor human rights record. "China is perceived as a bad actor and there could be a rally-around-the-flag effect if they invaded an island that is democratic and has been a long-term partner of the United States," said Hannah.

The survey was distributed online via YouGov from Aug. 28 to Sept. 6 and gathered responses from 1,000 adult U.S. citizens.