In a Nutshell: The Issue of Taiwan

Taiwan has long been inhabited by Chinese people and administered by China’s central governments. Historically, there had been little question about the island’s political status until a civil war broke out in China.

Foreign powers, particularly the US, interfered in the affairs of China, and so Taiwan became a flashpoint. A recent controversial visit to the island by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Beijing's reaction have fueled the already high cross-strait tensions and brought fears of a major conflict amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine.