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Defence Minister Peter Dutton has likened former prime minister Paul Keating to 1930s British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain over his views on China.

Instituted by Mr Chamberlain in the hope of avoiding war, appeasement was the name given to Britain's policy in the 1930s of allowing Germany to expand territory into neighbouring nations without interference.

“If you look at Paul Keating, or Neville Keating or Paul Chamberlain ... I mean you could take your pick,” Mr Dutton told the National Press Club.

“I think they’re all pretty appropriate monikers for Paul Keating.

“I can’t for the life of me reference any of what Paul Keating is saying to fact in the year 2021.”