Dramatic moment Today show hosts are forced to abruptly end a live interview as guest nearly faints: 'I think I'm going to pass out'

Aussies have been left shocked after a guest on the Today Show nearly passed out in the middle of an interview, leaving hosts scrambling.

Malcolm Davis, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), started breathing heavily during his interview with host Christine Ahern.

Viewers of the popular morning breakfast news program were left shocked after Mr Davis was heard saying: 'Oh... Oh... I think I'm going to pass out... Sorry...'.

Overlay of Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong greeting diplomats from Beijing played on the screen as Ahern tried to comfort her guest.

'That's ok Malcolm, we're going to leave you now,' she said.

'Malcolm's having some problems there, and we obviously wish him the best, and we will keep updated with Malcolm to check on his condition throughout the morning.'

Ahern's co-host Charles Croucher quickly took over the reigns and launched into a new segment on mounting pressure on hospitals over the festive season.

He also sent his best wishes to Mr Davis.

'Thank you Christine, we'll keep an eye on Malcolm and make sure he's ok,' he said.

An ASPI spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday morning: 'Dr Davis had food poisoning and is now resting up'.

Before nearly passing out live on-air, the senior analyst had been giving his thoughts on Minister Wong's upcoming trip to Beijing.

Mr Davis said the trip was a positive step forward in terms of diplomacy and said he hoped it would result in some easing of trade sanctions.

'I think we should temper our expectations and realise that the major issues causing tensions still remain unresolved,' he said.

'We need to be cautious about expectations that somehow we're going to go back to 2014 when things were very positive. I don't think that's going to happen.

Mr Davis' speech became noticeably slurred and slowed down.

'I think what's more likely to happen is... relations will...go forward and.... I think I'm going to pass out sorry... oh sorry,' he says before Ahern takes over.

Minister Wong will travel to China this week to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Canberra and Beijing.

She is expected to hold talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during the visit.