Beijing would prefer to win Taiwan without a war, by persuading enough of its people, or enough of its politicians, that their future lies with the mainland. It works through trade privileges, invitations, the party that once ruled China, temple and clan associations, television and social media, and, Taiwan's courts have found, through paid agents. Taiwan's government calls this political warfare and has passed laws against it. Its opponents at home say those laws are being turned on anyone who disagrees with the governing party about China.
The wider dispute and each side's full account: Taiwan.
Where it stands · September 2026
China lodged formal representations to Italy and the European Union over activities in Italy by politicians of Taiwan's governing party. At a summit, Xi asked Trump to oppose Taiwan independence, and called for the United States to oppose it; Trump praised China as a World War II ally.
What the dispute is about
Exchange or infiltration. Two million Taiwanese have worked or studied on the mainland; families, firms and temples span the strait. Beijing calls every link proof of one people. Taiwan's security services see in the same links the channels through which money and instructions move.
Who speaks for Taiwan. Beijing refuses all contact with the elected government and receives the opposition with ceremony. The government says that lets a foreign power choose its interlocutor. The opposition says someone has to keep a line open.
The limits of defence. Laws against collaboration, deportation of mainland-born spouses for online posts, investigations of opposition politicians: necessary protection, or the methods of the adversary.
