Taiwan

It thus confirmed the presence of American troops on the island, which China considers its territory.

China has never ruled out the possibility of invading Taiwan

The United States would defend Taiwan if the island were attacked by China, President Joe Biden said on Oct. 21, a declaration welcomed by the democratic island that risks fury from Beijing.

Authoritarian China regards self-ruled Taiwan as its own territory and has vowed to one day seize the island, by force if needed.

Chinese military exercises near Taiwan are targeted at forces promoting the island's formal independence and are a "just" move to protect peace and stability, China's Taiwan Affairs Office said on Oct. 13.

It also said the exercises are aimed at interference by external forces.

This country is not internationally recognized, and China regards it as part of its territory.
Chinese air force incursions into Taiwan's air defence identification zone

Taiwan will not bow to pressure by Beijing and will defend its democratic way of life, President Tsai Ing-wen said on Oct. 10, following a spike in incursions by Chinese warplanes into its air defense zone.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping said on Oct. 9 reunification with Taiwan must happen and will happen peacefully, despite a ratcheting-up of China's threats to attack the island.

Xi spoke on at an official celebration in Beijing's Great Hall of the People the focused largely on the need for the ruling Communist Party to continue to lead China as the country rises in power and influence.

U.S. special operations forces have been quietly training Taiwanese troops for months, risking the ire of China, a Pentagon official said on Oct. 7.

A contingent of around 20 special operations and conventional forces has been conducting the training for less than a year, the official, who declined to be identified, told AFP, adding that some of the trainers rotate in and out.

Tensions between China and Taiwan are rising

Kuo-cheng also warned that China could be able to invade Taiwan in 2025. Earlier, China sent a "record number" of fighter jets into Taiwanese airspace, for the fourth day in a row.