U.S. military planners have assessed that China could be capable of invading Taiwan by 2027.
January 01, 2027
high
temporal
Projection reported as an assessment by U.S. military planners about China's potential military capability regarding Taiwan.
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.
As of 2025-11-18, Taiwan was treated by the United States as an ally but did not hold the formal designation of 'major non-NATO ally'.
November 18, 2025
high
temporal
U.S. relationship status with Taiwan relative to the formal 'major non-NATO ally' designation.
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.
Taiwan is a self-governing island with its own administrative and political institutions separate from the People's Republic of China.
November 10, 2025
high
descriptive
Describes Taiwan's governance in practice, as commonly referred to in international reporting.
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.
China claims virtually the entire South China Sea, and that claim overlaps with territorial claims by Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Taiwan.
October 31, 2025
high
temporal
Describes durable territorial claims and overlapping claimant states in the South China Sea.
China's official position asserts that reunification with Taiwan is an "unstoppable historical trend" and urges other countries to be cautious in their words and actions on the Taiwan issue.
October 31, 2025
high
temporal
Summarizes a stated policy position of China's government regarding Taiwan.
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.
China's Eastern Theater Command holds primary responsibility for military operations directed at Taiwan in the event of hostilities.
January 01, 2025
high
temporal
Describes the regional operational responsibility of a major Chinese theater command.
A 2025 U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission report found that China built roughly 350 new intercontinental ballistic missile silos and expanded its nuclear warhead stockpile by about 20% over the prior year.
January 01, 2025
high
statistical
Findings reported in the commission's 2025 annual report on U.S.-China security and economic issues.
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that Taiwan’s return to China is an integral part of the post-World War II international order.
November 24, 2024
high
temporal
This describes an official, general policy position articulated by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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.
Japan occupied Taiwan for decades until Japan's defeat in World War II in 1945.
September 02, 1945
high
historical
Historical context about Japanese governance of Taiwan prior to the end of World War II.
The United States' one-China policy recognizes Taiwan as part of China while the United States maintains relations with Taiwan.
high
temporal
Describes the U.S. one-China policy as characterized in the article.
The United States' stated position is that it 'does not support' Taiwan independence, while China has sought U.S. adoption of language stating it 'opposes' Taiwan independence.
high
temporal
Contrasts U.S. and Chinese diplomatic language regarding Taiwan independence.
The United States is the largest military backer of Taiwan.
high
temporal
Summarizes the United States' security relationship with Taiwan as described in the article.
Taiwan is a significant issue in U.S.–China relations alongside trade, technology transfers, and human rights.
high
temporal
Identifies the policy areas in which Taiwan figures as a point of contention between the United States and China.
The People's Republic of China considers Taiwan to be part of its territory.
high
temporal
China's official territorial claim regarding Taiwan.
Both Republican and Democratic U.S. administrations have maintained a policy of "strategic ambiguity" on Taiwan, avoiding a public commitment about whether the United States would militarily defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack.
high
policy
Longstanding U.S. approach to deterrence and crisis management regarding Taiwan.
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.
United States administrations, both Republican and Democratic, have maintained a policy commonly known as 'strategic ambiguity' on Taiwan, which involves avoiding a clear public commitment about whether the U.S. would use military force to defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack.
high
policy
Describes the long-standing U.S. approach to deterrence and crisis signaling regarding Taiwan.
The People's Republic of China claims sovereignty over Taiwan.
high
geopolitical
This reflects the official position of Beijing regarding Taiwan's status.
Taiwan is a democratically governed island located approximately 60 miles from Japanese territory.
high
geographic
Geographic proximity between Taiwan and Japan is a factor in regional security considerations.
China claims Taiwan, a self-governing island off its coast, as part of its territory.
high
contextual
Sovereignty claim underlying cross-strait tensions and regional security dynamics.
Neither the United States nor Japan has official diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
high
contextual
Formal diplomatic recognition policy affecting interactions with Taiwan.
The United States is the main supplier of defense equipment to Taiwan's military.
high
contextual
U.S. military support and arms sales contribute to Taiwan's defense capabilities.
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 United States is the primary supplier of weapons to Taiwan.
high
defense
Describes the principal external military supplier relationship for Taiwan.
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.
United States domestic law obligates the United States government to provide sufficient defensive hardware to Taiwan to help deter any armed attack on the island.
high
general
Legal framework guiding U.S. security support for Taiwan.
The United States does not take a formal position on the sovereignty of Taiwan but opposes the use of force to resolve Taiwan's status.
high
general
Summary of longstanding U.S. policy stance regarding Taiwan.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping has increased rhetoric about retaking Taiwan in recent years.
medium
thematic
A trend in rhetoric and public statements concerning cross-strait relations.
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.