NEWS//Escalating tensions with Taiwan

Mainland China is intensifying its claim to Taiwan.

The history

In 1949, at the end of four years of civil war, Taiwan (formerly called Formosa) became the safe haven for the defeated Republic of China (ROC).

China lost control of Taiwan after the First Sino-Japanese War in 1895. At the end of the Second World War and the Second Sino-Japanese War, Taiwan was placed under the control of the Republic of China. However, no treaty officially made Taiwan a part of China. When the ROC, particularly the Chinese Nationalist Party, took over Taiwan, it ruled there under a declaration of martial law. It was not until the 1990s that a democratically elected national government came to rule the island.

Taiwan considers itself a sovereign state, although it has refrained from officially declaring independence from China. China, however, views Taiwan as a breakaway province. China is committed to assimilating Taiwan.

Current tensions

On October 9, China's President Xi stated, “Reunification of the nation must be realized, and will definitely be realized…. Reunification through a peaceful manner is the most in line with the overall interest of the Chinese nation, including Taiwan compatriot."

In a move that seems to underline that message, China has increased its efforts to show its military might near Taiwan. Over the course of four days, starting last week, the Mainland People’s Liberation Army flew fighter jets, bombers, and airborne early warning aircraft 149 times towards Taiwan, with the largest single maneuver involving 52 jets.

In response, Taiwan's defense minister estimated the tensions between Taiwan and China as the worst in more than 40 years.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said on October 10 that she would not “bow to pressure” from China. “We will do our utmost to prevent the status quo from being unilaterally altered,” She pledged to continue bolstering the island’s military defenses as well as resisting “the path China has laid out for us.”

Some analysts have warned that Beijing is becoming increasingly concerned that Taiwan's government is moving the island towards a formal declaration of independence. China is seeking to deter its President Tsai Ing-wen from taking any steps in that direction.

Sources: AP News (1), (2), (3), Thought Co, All Sides (1), (2), BBC, The Guardian (1), (2).