Will China invade Taiwan?
THE Russian-Ukraine war has captivated the world's attention but fears mount for Taiwan's safety.
US military and intelligence delegations have been sent to Taiwan amid concerns about China using the Russian distraction to launch an attack.
Will China invade Taiwan?
The political status of Taiwan has been a sore topic since the Second World War.
China sees Taiwan as a province that will eventually be returned to mainland rule but Taiwan maintains it's independence.
There has been increased Chinese military presence around Taiwan and Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen has put her military on high alert.
Concerns of an imminent invasion are raised, in part, due to the good relationship between China and Russia.
China has not denounced the actions of Russian President Vladimir Putin and have not put sanctions in place.
They abstained from a United Nations vote condemning the invasion, along with India and 32 other countries.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned the US not to "add fuel to the flames" in Ukraine.
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What happened between China and Taiwan?
Taiwan is a small island off the coast of China, placed under the rule of the Republic of China (ROC) at the end of World War II.
After the Chinese Civil War in 1949, ROC retreated from mainland China to Taiwan.
The People's Republic of China (PRC) was established and officially replaced ROC in 1971 but ROC still holds areas around China.
Residents of Taiwan democratically elected Tsai Ing-wen as President of the Republic of China, the first female president of the island.
Both ROC and PRC claim sovereignty over Taiwan and other islands surrounding China.
If they were to reunify – in accordance with the idea of 'one China' – ROC would have to be dissolved and Taiwan ruled instead by PRC.
Is Taiwan in NATO?
International organisations are hesitant to recognise the sovereignty of Taiwan.
The World Health Organisation, the Olympics, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) do not officially recognise Taiwan as it's own country.
There are currently 30 NATO members, including the UK and US, but China does not have membership.
Only 15 nations, including Vatican City, see Taiwan as a separate country to China.
The United States did recognise Taiwan for 30 years but switched this official status in 1979.
They do still hold a positive relationship and have sent support and military assistance to the island.
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