Taiwan is a self-governing democracy that operates its own government independently of the People's Republic of China.
November 20, 2025
high
temporal
Summary of Taiwan's political status as a self-ruled democratic polity distinct from PRC governance.
Taiwan is a self-governing democratic island that is claimed by the People's Republic of China.
November 17, 2025
high
temporal
Describes the political status of Taiwan and China's territorial claim.
The People's Republic of China has undertaken a massive, decades-long expansion of its military capabilities.
November 17, 2025
high
temporal
Characterizes the long-term growth of China's military strength.
Japan has been increasing and advocating a buildup of its defense forces in response to China's military expansion.
November 17, 2025
high
temporal
Frames Japan's defense-policy adjustments as reactionary to regional military trends.
The People's Republic of China officially asserts that Taiwan's reunification with the mainland is an "unstoppable historical trend."
October 31, 2025
high
policy_position
Statement reflects a long-held official stance by China's defense and political authorities regarding cross-strait relations.
The government of the People's Republic of China considers Taiwan a breakaway province and maintains that Taiwan may be retaken by force if necessary.
October 30, 2025
high
temporal
China's stated position on Taiwan's sovereignty and the potential use of force.
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has designated the People's Republic of China as a "country of particular concern for religious freedom" every year since 1998 under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998.
January 01, 1998
high
temporal
Recurring designation by the U.S. advisory commission under U.S. law concerning international religious freedom.
The 1979 Taiwan Relations Act does not require the United States to militarily intervene if the People's Republic of China invades Taiwan, but it establishes U.S. policy to help ensure Taiwan has the resources to defend itself and to oppose any unilateral change to Taiwan's status by Beijing.
April 10, 1979
high
legal
U.S. statutory framework governing relations with Taiwan.
The 1979 Taiwan Relations Act states that the United States is not legally required to militarily defend Taiwan if the People's Republic of China invades, but establishes U.S. policy to help Taiwan obtain the resources to defend itself and to oppose any unilateral change to Taiwan's status by Beijing.
April 10, 1979
high
legal
U.S. statutory framework governing unofficial relations with Taiwan.
The People's Republic of China considers Taiwan to be part of its territory.
high
temporal
China's official territorial claim regarding Taiwan.
U.S. presidential administrations from Bill Clinton through Barack Obama pursued a policy of engagement with the government of the People's Republic of China.
high
temporal
Characterizes U.S. foreign-policy approach toward China across multiple administrations prior to the Trump era.
China uses a national college entrance examination called the gaokao for undergraduate admissions, and the central government allocates freshman class sizes to provinces and sets institutional major quotas based on national workforce planning.
high
institutional
Description of how China's higher education admissions and major-assignment process is centrally organized.
Taiwan is a self-governed island democracy that the People's Republic of China claims as part of its territory.
high
status
Basic description of Taiwan's governance and territorial claim by Beijing.
U.S. officials have expressed longstanding concern about the possibility that the People's Republic of China could use military force to attempt to change Taiwan's status.
high
security_concern
General security concern shaping U.S. policy toward Taiwan and China.
The People's Republic of China claims sovereignty over Taiwan.
high
geopolitical
This reflects the official position of Beijing regarding Taiwan's status.
The People's Republic of China asserts that Taiwan is part of its territory, treats Taiwan as a domestic issue, and considers foreign involvement in Taiwan to cross a 'red line'.
high
policy
Describes China's long-standing official position on Taiwan and limits on foreign interference.
The People's Republic of China (Beijing) upholds the one-China principle, which asserts that Taiwan is part of Chinese territory.
high
general
Official Chinese position on Taiwan's status.
The People's Republic of China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and states an aim for Taiwan's eventual return or reunification.
high
general
China's longstanding territorial claim and reunification objective regarding Taiwan.