Taiwan Question
One China Policy and Cross-Strait Dynamics
The Taiwan Strait's strategic significance derives from the unresolved political status of Taiwan. The People's Republic of China (PRC) claims Taiwan as a province and has never renounced the use of force to achieve "reunification." This creates a persistent flashpoint in Sino-American relations and a defining feature of the Indo-Pacific security environment.
- The PRC's "One China" principle holds that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory and that the PRC government is the sole legitimate government of China.
- The United States maintains "strategic ambiguity" — formally acknowledging (not recognising) the Chinese position that there is one China and Taiwan is part of China, while maintaining unofficial relations with Taiwan under the Taiwan Relations Act (1979) and providing defensive arms.
- India's position: India does not maintain official diplomatic relations with Taiwan, adhering to the "One China" policy; however, India's formal position on this has been described as "One China" without explicitly endorsing China's sovereignty claims.
- The Taiwan Strait has been a flashpoint in three major crises: 1954-55, 1958, and 1995-96 (the Third Taiwan Strait Crisis, which saw the US deploy two carrier battle groups).
- China conducted unprecedented military exercises around Taiwan in August 2022 (following then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit) and again in May and October 2023.
● Tracked since February 22, 2026 · last seen June 25, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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