Here's our lowdown on whether Taiwan is independent, why China wants to reunify the states, and what Xi Jinping said.
Is Taiwan an independent nation?
Taiwan – officially the Republic of China – is a fully-independent nation on paper, but is not recognised as such by the United Nations.
This is because the People's Republic of China does not see Taiwan as an independent state, but a rogue province that needs bringing back under control.
It refuses to have diplomatic ties with nations that recognise Taiwan as independent.
In 2005 China passed a law authorising the use of military force if Taiwan formally tries to secede.
Why does China want to reunify the two states?
Beijing insists that the People's Republic of China is the sole heir to the 'China' title.
The independence of Taiwan means that another country has a claim to be the true China.
The 'One China' policy endorsed by the Chinese government recognises Taiwan as a rogue province – collectively part of the world's one China.
While the United States does not formally recognise Taiwan as an independent country, it does support Taiwan in other ways – and China is uncomfortable with the prospect of what it sees as its territory falling within the US sphere of influence.
What has Xi Jinping said?
Chinese President Xi Jinping has repeatedly said that Taiwan needs to be absorbed back into the People's Republic.
He warned that Beijing “will not renounce the use of force or give up the option to use all necessary measures”.
He added that any military action would be focused on Taiwanese separatists and any "external forces" – likely meaning the United States.
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