TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A new poll indicates that if China invaded Taiwan up to 78% of Americans would support US military intervention to defend it.

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute on Sunday released its third annual Reagan Institute Summer Survey, per Liberty Times. Reflecting growing awareness of the strategic and economic stakes, 75% of Americans said war between China and Taiwan would impact US security and prosperity. 

Asked if China were to invade Taiwan, 70% said they would back the US launching military actions to defend Taiwan. The report pointed out that there was strong bipartisan support, with 75% of Democrats and 70% of Republicans favoring a military response. 

“When provided with reasons for defending Taiwan, support rises even higher, up to 78% overall,” said the institute. This included a six-point rise among Democrats to 81% and a 10-point surge among Republicans to 80%. 

The reasons that spurred respondents' support for US military action to defend Taiwan were led by the country's role as one of the world’s biggest producers of semiconductors, with 71% agreeing. Defending Taiwan is also seen as critical to the security of other US allies in the region, such as Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines, an argument supported by 70% of respondents. 

In addition, 70% believe that failing to defend Taiwan would signal to China and other adversaries that the US is unwilling to stand by its allies. “These reasons demonstrate a clear desire for peace through strength and strong American leadership in the Indo-Pacific,” said the report. 

The poll found that 80% of Americans expressed concern about the overall threat China poses to the US, spanning multiple fields and transcending party lines. A similar 79% are troubled by China's human rights violations and Beijing's ownership of US government debt. 

Of the respondents, 78% are worried about the possibility of China overtaking the US as the preeminent superpower.