In the area around Taiwan, China has conducted its largest-ever display of military might, including the firing of ballistic missiles. After Pelosi, the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, visited the island, there were military drills. China views Taiwan as a secessionist province that will eventually return to being ruled by Beijing.
The self-governing island, with its own constitution and freely elected officials, perceives itself as different from the mainland. Jinping of China has stated that “reunification” with Taiwan “must be realised” and has left open the possibility of using force to accomplish this.
ONE CHINA POLICY
In a diplomatic sense, it is a recognition of China’s stance that there is only one Chinese government. As a result of this policy, the US recognises and maintains formal relations with China rather than Taiwan. China views it as a renegade province that will one day be united with the mainland. One of the main pillars of Sino-US ties is the One China policy. It also forms the cornerstone of Chinese foreign policy and diplomacy. It differs from the One China principle, according to which China maintains that Taiwan is an integral component of one China and will one day be reunited.
WHERE IS TAIWAN
A hundred miles or so off the coast of southeast China sits the island of Taiwan. It is located in the so-called “first island chain,” which is made up of many countries that support the US and are important to US foreign policy. If China were to annex Taiwan, it may be freer to project power over the western Pacific and might even pose a danger to US military installations as far away as Guam and Hawaii.
CAN TAIWAN FIGHT FOR ITSELF? China may make an effort to achieve “reunification” through non-military methods, such fostering closer economic connections. The Chinese military, however, would be far superior to Taiwan’s in any military conflict. China spends more on defence than any other country outside the US and has access to a wide range of weapons, including planes, missile technology, aircraft, and cyberattacks. Although much of China’s military force is concentrated elsewhere, there remains a large disparity between the two sides overall, for instance in terms of active duty men. China, meanwhile, adamantly maintains that its goals are simply peaceful.