Taiwan, located in East Asia on the Pacific Ocean, is separated from the People’s Republic of China by the Taiwan Strait. It is bordered to the north by the East China Sea and to the south by the South China Sea.[1] Once known as Formosa, Taiwan has a population of more than 23 million and an area of about 36,200 square kilometers. The territory includes the island of Taiwan, the Penghu archipelago and the islands of Matsu, Kinmen and Wuqiu.[2]

Due to its strategic location and tumultuous history, Taiwan has long been an area of interest for its neighbors. Modern tensions between China and Taiwan gained prominence as a result of events in the 20th century, more specifically the Chinese Civil War, which was fought between 1927 and 1949, between the Chinese Communist Party and the National Party of China. After the Communist victory in 1949, Mao Zedong proclaimed the People’s Republic of China with its capital in Beijing. And the leader of the other bloc, Chiang Kai-shek, retreated with two million followers to Taiwan, establishing Taipei as the temporary capital of the Republic of China. Both sides claimed the right to represent China, which became a hotbed of conflict.[3]

Initially, Taiwan was internationally recognized as the representative of the Republic of China. It lost this support in the 1970s, when successive countries moved away from Taipei and accepted Beijing as the sole representative of China. Beijing opposed the concept of “two Chinas,” or the complete separation of Taiwan. It sought to reunify the territory. Meanwhile, Taiwan was developing as a de facto independent state, with a democratic political system and a strong economy.[4]

The tension between China and Taiwan is based on a deep-rooted sinocentrism. It manifests itself in the belief that the Chinese should be ruled by the Chinese. Otherwise, the Chinese are supposed to lose their Chineseness.[5] Formally, Taiwan is inhabited by two ethnic groups, the Han Chinese (97.7%) and Taiwan’s aborigines (2.3%).[6]

China is currently conducting its largest naval operation in the region in decades. According to Taiwan’s Defense Ministry spokesman Sun Li-fang, on Tuesday, December 10, the number of Chinese warships and coast guard units operating in the Taiwan area reached the highest level since the Chinese military maneuvers conducted in 1996.[7] Some 90 Chinese warships have been deployed near Taiwan’s territorial waters and around the southern islands belonging to Japan.[8]

According to Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense, the Chinese Navy is seeking to establish two strategic lines in the Pacific: one at the eastern end of Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone and another further out in the open ocean.[9] These moves could threaten Taiwan’s survival in the event of a Chinese invasion, potentially blocking maritime access for outside forces. Taiwanese authorities have also announced that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army has designated seven restricted airspace zones east of Zhejiang and Fujian provinces.[10]

The Chinese military maneuvers around Taiwan were most likely a response to Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s South Pacific tour, including unofficial stops in the United States. Lai, known for his support of Taiwan’s sovereignty, faced harsh criticism from Beijing, which called him a “separatist.” His visit coincided with U.S. approval of new arms sales to Taiwan (on November 29, the U.S. State Department approved the sale to Taiwan of spare parts and components for F-16 fighter jets and radar systems), prompting China to announce “strong countermeasures.”[11]

A similar situation occurred during China’s “Joint-Sword-2024A” and “Joint-Sword-2024B” military exercises, which were in response to Taiwan’s actions, including statements by its leader emphasizing Taiwan’s independence. The maneuvers reflected rising tensions in the region and Beijing’s determination to maintain its claims on Taiwan.[12]

The situation in the region continues to be a source of concern, with recent developments indicating a further exacerbation of relations between China and Taiwan. Beijing’s increased military activity and Taipei’s responses indicate continuing tensions.

Tekst powstał w ramach realizacji zadania publicznego zleconego w ramach Rządowego Programu Rozwoju Organizacji Obywatelskich na lata 2018–2030 r. „Bezpieczna Polska jutra – rozwój działań misyjnych Alioth Foundation”.

Bibliography

[1] M. Michałek, Tvn24.pl „Tajwan i Chiny – o co chodzi? Czy Tajwan to państwo i dlaczego jest taki ważny. Odpowiadamy” [online].

[2] Biuro Polskie w Tajpej, poland.tw, Informator ekonomiczny [online].

[3] Historia.dorzeczy.pl, „Tajwan, Republika Chińska. Jak doszło do podziału Chin? Które Chiny są prawdziwe”? [online].

[4] Ibidem.

[5] Biuro Polskie w Tajpej, poland.tw, Informator ekonomiczny [online].

[6] T. Jurczyk „Polityka Chińskiej Republiki Ludowej ery Deng Xiaopinga wobec Tajwanu” [online].

[7] K. Pawliszak, Gospodarkamorska.pl „Tajwan: największa liczba chińskich okrętów w okolicy od dekad” [online].

[8]  M. Górski Defence24.pl „Tajwan w gotowości. Kolejne bezprecedensowe ćwiczenia Chin [OPINIA]” [online].

[9]  Y. Lee, B. Blanchard Reuters.com „China sends largest naval fleet in decades to region, threat level severe, Taiwan says” [online].

[10] Defence24.pl „Tajwan w stanie wysokiej gotowości” [online].

[11] W. Chang, S. McCarthy, N. Gan, Edition.cnn.com „China’s maritime movements around Taiwan are largest in decades, Taipei says” [online].

[12] Ibidem.