Taiwan and China traded barbs over what the government in Taipei suspects was a Chinese-linked ship's damage to an undersea communications cable off the island's coast, an incident that has raised alarm bells on the island.

Taiwan accuses a ship of damaging undersea communications cables, raising tensions with China. While Taiwan suspects Chinese involvement, the ship's owner denies it. This incident highlights ongoing 'grey zone' tensions between Taiwan and China as Taipei seeks evidence to support its claims amid Beijing's denials.

Recent trends in China's military operations make clear Chinese leader Xi Jinping has no interest in easing tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has pledged to strengthen the island’s defenses in the face of escalating Chinese threats.

In sharp contrast to Chinese President Xi Jinping who vowed to annex Taiwan at any cost, the island’s leader, Lai Ching-te, said he seeks equal and cordial exchanges with China and expects goodwill

China has claimed that the self-ruled Taiwan is part of its territory and has refused to renounce using force against it.

Taiwan's defense ministry reported increased military activity by China, including aircraft and ships encircling the island. Despite Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's willingness to engage in talks with Beijing,

We Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family. The bond of kinship between us can never be broken,” Xi declared during his 2025 New Year Address broadcast on state television.

China’s efforts to entice more Taiwanese people to get permits to live and work on the mainland is prompting concern in Taipei that Beijing could be laying the groundwork to justify intervention in the self-governing island’s affairs,

"The people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family," Mr Xi said in a speech televised on China's state broadcaster CCTV. “No one can sever our family bonds, and no one can stop the historical trend of national reunification.”

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has pledged to strengthen the island ... part of the “line of defense of democracy” globally. China claims Taiwan, a self-ruled democracy, is part of its ...

China claims Taiwan ... In this photo released by the Taiwan Presidential Office, Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te delivers a New Year's address at the Taiwan Presidential Office in Taipei ...