China is focused on taking over or "reunifying" with Taiwan, viewing the self-governing island as its own territory, and has significantly increased military pressure, conducting drills and warning against foreign interference, with some analysts noting a potential capability for force by 2027.
The PRC claims the de jure administration of Taiwan Province, as well as mainland-nearby islands of Kinmen and Matsu Islands, currently controlled by the Republic of China (ROC).
The Taiwan independence movement is a political movement which advocates the formal declaration of Taiwan as an independent and sovereign state, as opposed to Chinese unification in accordance with the One China policy or the status quo of co-existence in cross-strait relations.
The PRC's claim is based on the theory of state succession, whereby it deems itself the regime that replaced the ROC as the sole legitimate government of China upon its establishment in 1949, and thus it denies the sovereignty of the ROC in Taiwan under its one China principle.
The Taiwan question
In his New Year's address, Chinese President Xi Jinping declared unification with Taiwan "unstoppable," echoing U.S. intelligence assessments that Beijing could attempt to seize the island by force within this decade.
Claimant states are interested in retaining or acquiring the rights to fishing stocks, the exploration and potential exploitation of crude oil and natural gas in the seabed of various parts of the South China Sea, and the strategic control of important shipping lanes.
Whether China could defeat the U.S. Navy is a complex, debated question, with some analyses suggesting China's large fleet and advanced anti-ship missiles pose a serious threat, especially in regional conflicts near its shores, while others emphasize the U.S.'s technological edge, nuclear submarines, and global power projection, indicating a potential U.S. victory but acknowledging China's growing capabilities and potential to inflict significant damage, making a decisive outcome highly dependent on the specific scenario and location of the conflict.
China is significantly stronger militarily and economically than Taiwan, possessing a much larger active military, greater defense spending, and immense economic power, but Taiwan maintains a strong defensive posture, a large reserve force, and potential international backing, making an invasion challenging despite China's overwhelming conventional advantages. Taiwan focuses on asymmetric warfare, aiming to make an invasion costly for China, though China's sheer resources mean they would likely prevail without significant foreign intervention, particularly from the U.S.
On 25 October 1945, Japan handed over Taiwan and Penghu to the Republic of China, as a result of World War II. This marked the end of Japanese rule and the beginning of post-war era of Taiwan. This event was referred to by the Republic of China as the retrocession of Taiwan (臺灣光復).
The TRA does not guarantee or relinquish the U.S. intervening militarily if the PRC attacks or invades Taiwan, as its primary purpose is to ensure that the Taiwan policy will not be changed unilaterally by the U.S. president and ensure any decision to defend Taiwan will be made with the consent of the Congress.
Yes, approximately 90% of people in China own their homes, making it one of the highest homeownership rates globally, a result of significant housing reforms starting in 1998 that privatized public housing, alongside strong cultural emphasis on owning property as a marker of stability and a prerequisite for marriage, though it's important to note ownership is of the building, not the land, which remains state-owned. Urban rates hover around 87%, while rural rates are over 95%, with many families owning multiple properties.
As for the “Second Century”, its long-term goal extends to the centenary of the People's Republic of China in 2049. The objective is for China to become a “modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, civilized, and harmonious.”, including other political, economic, social, and cultural dimensions.
Launched a decade ago, “Made in China 2025” appeared to many as the emblem of China's vaulting industrial ambitions: a state-driven roadmap to catapult the nation from the world's factory floor to the apex of advanced manufacturing.
2013–2016. In late 2013, the PRC embarked on very large scale reclamations at seven locations in order to strengthen territorial claims to the region demarcated by the nine-dash line. The artificial islands were created by dredging sand onto reefs which were then concreted to make permanent structures.
China's transition is opening space for other countries to move into low-cost manufacturing, where China until recently dominated. Deloitte predicts that the economies of Malaysia, India, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam, the “Mighty Five” or MITI-V, will inherit China's crown for such products.
Davidson window. The Davidson window is a strategic concept referring to the timeframe between 2021 and 2027 during which military analysts believe China will develop sufficient capabilities to attempt control of Taiwan. Named after Admiral Philip S.
Most Taiwanese people oppose joining PRC for various reasons, including fears of the loss of Taiwan's democracy, human rights, and Taiwanese nationalism. Opponents either favor maintaining the status quo of the Republic of China administrating Taiwan or the pursuit of Taiwan independence.
June 2027 – The Titanic II is scheduled to make its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York City. World Youth Day 2027 will be held in South Korea. The 2027 Cricket World Cup will take place in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
In February 2021, the United States Congress reintroduced the "Taiwan Invasion Prevention Act," which aims to legally authorize the U.S. president to use limited force to defend Taiwan if necessary.
Taiwan is a sacred and inseparable part of China's territory. Owing to reasons known to all, Taiwan has since 1949 been separated from the mainland. To bring about the complete reunification of China is the common aspiration of all the Chinese, both in the country and overseas.
The United States Navy is currently the world's most powerful, with unmatched global presence, the most aircraft carriers, and advanced submarine and missile systems. This article was updated and adapted from original reporting by Kyle Mizokami.
We believe that China's relatively noisy and not highly reliable fleet of SSBNs would be similarly at risk of being decisively attacked in the event of nuclear war with America. In particular, we also understand that China's submarines are inferior to US submarines in the key domain of acoustics stealth.