Why China wants Taiwan: Unpacking the long-standing dispute.

Beijing claims sovereignty over the island, just 160km from mainland China, and vows to take it by force if necessary to achieve unification.

Washington, supported by its Western allies including Australia, insists any differences be resolved peacefully. American law also obligates it to supply Taiwan with hardware and technology for self-defence.

In the past several years, ties between Washington and Taipei have grown stronger, as Beijing intensifies military and diplomatic pressure on the island.

Here is what you need to know about the Taiwan dispute and what it means for Australia.

Why does China want Taiwan?

Beijing views Taiwan as an inseparable part of its territory – even though the Chinese Communist Party has never governed the island.

He said he wanted to see peaceful reunification occur under a “one country two systems” policy, similar to that used in Hong Kong. However the system of government is generally opposed by Taiwan.

Does China have the capability to invade Taiwan?

China, after years of rising military spending, now boasts the world’s second-largest defence budget behind the US, totalling about $290 billion in 2022. That has allowed the development of advanced weapons systems including the J-20 stealth fighter, hypersonic missiles and two aircraft carriers, with a third under construction.

China’s tacit support for Russia’s war on Ukraine has fuelled speculation over its intentions with Taiwan, raising questions about how the world might react should it launch an attack.

What is the US role in defending Taiwan?

Washington’s longstanding policy has been to provide political and military support for Taiwan, while not explicitly promising to defend it from a Chinese attack.

“Taiwan should pay us for defence,” Trump said in an interview with Bloomberg Businessweek in July. “You know, we’re no different than an insurance company.”

What is Australia’s relationship with Taiwan?

The approach by Australia to the self-governing territory dates from 1972 when it adopted the one-China policy after opening diplomatic relations with the communist-ruled People’s Republic of China (PRC).

Canberra recognised the government in Beijing as the sole legal government of China and ended its recognition of Taiwan.

In the decades since, Taiwan’s democracy and its economy, particularly its technology sector. has flourished.

The island is now Australia’s seventh-biggest trading partner.