Australian MPs will attend Taiwan president-elect Lai Ching-te's inauguration in Taipei

A bipartisan delegation of Australian politicians will attend the inauguration of Taiwan's President-elect Dr Lai Ching-te, drawing a forceful warning from China and complicating Australia's relationship with Beijing.

The ABC understands the delegation of up to four federal parliamentarians, including senators Claire Chandler and Raff Ciccone, is among more than 400 foreign politicians and officials welcomed by Taipei for the event on Monday.

China's embassy in Canberra issued a highly unusual statement before information about the delegation was made public, nearly a month ahead of Chinese Premier Li Qiang's official trip to Australia.

The embassy's spokesperson urged Canberra to "abide by its commitment to the one-China principle and fully honour its commitment without any compromise or inconsistency".

"It is also hoped that the Australian side will work with the Chinese side to safeguard the hard-won positive development of China-Australia relations and avoid unnecessary interference or damage to the relationship between the two countries."

Relations between Australia and China have improved with high-level talks resuming and trade tensions easing. 

However, Taiwan remains a major regional stability concern as Beijing increases military activities in the strait.

In response, Taiwan's chief representative to Australia, Douglas Hsu, criticised Beijing's remarks, framing them as a misrepresentation of standard diplomatic practices.

"Recent remarks from the Chinese embassy's spokesperson are a deliberate attempt to misrepresent common diplomatic practice in terms of visits by foreign government officials to Taiwan," Mr Hsu said.

"As [a] sovereign country, the Republic of China (Taiwan) has been widely recognised as a mature democracy," Mr Hsu said.

Australia terminated diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1972, in order to establish official relations with China, which claims sovereignty over the island.

Canberra's diplomacy with Taipei has remained unofficial since then.

In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), rejected China's "incorrect assertions".

"These visits are consistent with Australia's one-China policy and with past practice," the spokesperson said.

"Parliamentarians travelling to Taiwan do so in their individual capacities. Australia's representative in Taipei will also attend the inauguration, consistent with past practice."

Inauguration to attract global attention

On Monday, Dr Lai will succeed President Tsai Ing-wen, marking the first time in the self-ruled island's history that the independence-minded Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has won three consecutive presidential terms.

The 64-year-old president-elect, who describes himself as a "pragmatic worker for Taiwanese independence", will capture global attention during his inaugural address.

Analysts suggest that the Chinese embassy's reaction ahead of the announcement of the visit was intended to pressure "both the media and the government".

"By sending delegations to Taiwan, the international community is signalling its support for Taiwan, which Beijing perceives as opposition to the Chinese Communist Party," Dr Kuo Mei-fen from the Australasian Taiwan Studies Association told the ABC.

"Canberra and the parliamentarians are clearly attempting to remain low-key before the visit.

"It reflects Beijing's increasing efforts to prevent Taiwan from expanding its influence on the global stage."

Tensions simmering in region

Beijing's warning comes amid rising tensions, as Taipei reported that Chinese military forces conducted a "combat patrol" near the island this week, including sending aircraft across the sensitive median line of the Taiwan Strait.

As Taipei deployed a Chinook helicopter rehearsing with Taiwan's largest national flag for the ceremony, Beijing's Taiwan office threatened to implement new legislation to punish "separatists who support Taiwan independence".

Senator Claire Chandler expressed her anticipation for the trip, emphasising the bipartisan nature of Australian parliamentary delegations visiting Taiwan.

"I look forward to attending the inauguration of president-elect Lai, continuing the long history of Australian parliamentary bipartisan delegations visiting Taiwan," Senator Chandler said.

Senator Chandler also underscored the importance of Australia's relationship with Taiwan, highlighting trade, investment, and cultural ties.

"It's not for others to seek to dictate how Australia should engage with our partners."

Senator Raff Ciccone echoed similar sentiments.

"The prime minister has already congratulated Dr Lai Ching-te on his victory in the election and I look forward to celebrating the vibrancy of Taiwan's democracy with the Taiwanese people at the inauguration of their new president."

'Democracy should not be taken for granted'

The ABC understands that similar celebrations will be held in multiple states by chapters of the Taiwanese Association of Australia, with Labor MP Daniel Mulino giving an opening remark at the event in Melbourne.

"It is appropriate for Australian MPs to acknowledge the successful conduct of an election and to congratulate the winner. This includes the recent election in Taiwan," Dr Mulino told the ABC.

"Democracy should not be taken for granted."

Former Australian diplomat, Kevin Magee — who had postings in both Taiwan and China — said the embassy's warning reflected Beijing's distrust of Dr Lai, particularly with the DPP entering its third term.

"The Chinese government's reaction to Dr Lai's inauguration was clearly stronger than that of former KMT leader Ma Ying-jeou," Mr Magee said.

"There are serving parliamentarians attending the inauguration this time, which is unlike before.

"Beijing views Dr Lai as a potential independence advocate, which could mean the PRC will expect Australia and other countries to follow its lead in opposing and pressuring Lai.

"There could be less room for manoeuvre for Australia in its dealings with Taiwan."