China-Taiwan relations are defined by deep historical ties and ongoing political tension. The People's Republic of China (PRC) views Taiwan as a breakaway province and asserts its sovereignty under the One China Principle, rejecting any notion of Taiwan as an independent state. Beijing has not ruled out the use of force to achieve unification, especially if Taiwan moves toward formal independence.

Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), operates as a self-governing democracy with its own military, constitution, and elected government. While it once claimed mainland China as its territory, it has since transitioned to a de facto independent status, particularly after democratizing in the 1990s. However, it is not widely recognized as a sovereign state due to PRC pressure.

Military tensions have escalated in recent years. China has conducted large-scale military drills around Taiwan, including live-fire exercises, drone incursions, and simulated blockades, such as the "Justice Mission 2025" exercises in late 2025. U.S. intelligence assessments suggest China aims to be capable of a military invasion by 2027, though it may prefer peaceful unification.

U.S. involvement adds complexity. While maintaining a policy of strategic ambiguity, the U.S. is Taiwan’s main arms supplier and has approved record defense sales, drawing strong objections from Beijing. Recent actions, like a $11.1 billion arms package, have intensified cross-strait friction.

Taiwan’s defense strategy focuses on asymmetric warfare, increased military spending (targeting 3% of GDP), and resilience planning. Meanwhile, China continues to pursue both military readiness and non-military tactics, including political and economic pressure, to advance its unification goals.