Taiwan Faces Intensified Chinese Pressure Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit

Since late 2025 Beijing has stepped up a campaign to isolate Taiwan diplomatically and militarily. China pressured Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles to deny overflight rights to President William Lai’s aircraft bound for Eswatini, imposed export-control sanctions on seven European firms linked to arms sales to the island, and blocked Lai’s trip entirely. At the same time the People’s Liberation Army has increased “grey-zone” patrols, sending a destroyer and a frigate near the Penghu islands and conducting regular warplane sorties in the Taiwan Strait.

Kyabram Free Press

The sovereignty dispute dates to 1949 when the Republic of China government retreated to Taiwan after the Chinese Civil War. China’s “One China” policy, reinforced by UN General Assembly Resolution 2758, claims the island as part of its territory. Taiwan operates as a de-facto independent state with its own military, controls a strategic node that anchors the First Island Chain, and lies on sea lanes that carry 40-50 % of global container traffic.

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Taiwan’s 2025 GDP grew 8.68 %—its fastest in 15 years—and the first quarter of 2026 is projected to expand 11.3 %. The island produces over 60 % of the world’s advanced semiconductors and imports roughly 97 % of its energy, with LNG reserves covering only about 11 days of consumption. Chinese warship activity around the Penghu archipelago rose to nine vessels and 22 aircraft in a single 24-hour period.

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China’s Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Chen Binhua declared that “peaceful reunification will inject greater certainty and growth potential into Taiwan’s investment and business environment.” President Lai told senior officers that “grey-zone operations… seek to manufacture a new normal that undermines the status quo.” The United States reiterated its “One China” policy while affirming continued arms sales, and the House Foreign Affairs Committee Majority posted that “the Chinese Communist Party is trying to bully Taiwan, a close partner of the United States.” Taiwan’s foreign ministry condemned China’s misrepresentation of UN 2758, stating the resolution does not address Taiwan’s status.

Kyabram Free PressReutersTaipei TimesReutersChina Accelerates Intimidation Tactics against Taiwan - American Legislative Exchange Council

U.S. and EU officials have labeled China’s airspace denial and sanctions as “abuse of the international civil aviation system” and “coercive intimidation.” The Lowy Institute warned that Beijing’s new tactic of blocking diplomatic flights could become a recurring tool. Taiwan’s defence minister Wellington Koo emphasized that Chinese sanctions “do not affect our ability to continue sourcing goods through diversified channels.”

Taiwan claims China’s sanctions on European arms’ sales won’t affect sourcing

Taiwan’s defence ministry reported a Chinese destroyer and frigate operating southwest of the Penghu islands on 28 April, prompting a coordinated naval and air response. Ocean Affairs Council minister Kuan Bi-ling visited Itu Aba and Jhongjhou Reef in the Spratly Islands, noting that Vietnam’s protest “has not been notably more forceful than usual.” These actions illustrate Taiwan’s effort to maintain a presence in contested maritime zones despite Chinese pressure.

Taipei TimesReutersReutersChina Accelerates Intimidation Tactics against Taiwan - American Legislative Exchange CouncilReuters

Beijing asserts that UN 2758 “completely resolves the issue of China’s representation, including Taiwan,” while Taiwan’s foreign ministry argues the resolution mentions only China’s UN seat and offers no legal basis to exclude Taiwan. Likewise, Chinese officials claim they have not renounced the use of force, yet publicly describe their military activities as “entirely justified and reasonable.” No public U.S. documents confirm any imminent change to the language of the Taiwan Relations Act.

Taiwan Foreign Ministry slams China’s Foreign Minister Wang’s framing of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758-News-Radio Taiwan InternationalChina Accelerates Intimidation Tactics against Taiwan - American Legislative Exchange CouncilTaiwan Independence Explained: Is Taiwan Already a Country?ReutersKyabram Free Press

• “reinvigorated with new vitality” — Chen Binhua, Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson.

Reuters

• “Unification packaged as peace will inevitably bring endless troubles to our nation,” — President William Lai, address to senior officers.

Taipei Times

• “Regarding Taiwan, the logic is simple: if the U.S. does not want to fight a major war with China over Taiwan, it should not support Taiwan independence,” — Wu Xinbo, dean, Fudan University.

Reuters

• “Yet again, the Chinese Communist Party is trying to bully Taiwan, a close partner of the United States. We stand with Taiwan against this blatant coercion.” — House Foreign Affairs Committee Majority, X post.

China Accelerates Intimidation Tactics against Taiwan - American Legislative Exchange Council

• “Wang reportedly told Baerbock that Resolution 2758 has completely resolved the issue of China’s representation at the UN, which includes Taiwan.” — Taiwan Foreign Ministry spokesperson.

Taiwan Foreign Ministry slams China’s Foreign Minister Wang’s framing of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758-News-Radio Taiwan International

• “However, I believe that such actions do not affect our ability to continue sourcing goods through relevant diversified channels,” — Defence Minister Wellington Koo.

Taiwan claims China’s sanctions on European arms’ sales won’t affect sourcing

President Lai’s postponed Eswatini visit, the scheduled Trump-Xi summit in May, and ongoing Chinese gray-zone operations suggest a near-term escalation of diplomatic friction. Analysts expect Beijing to leverage the summit to press for a softened U.S. stance, while Taiwan will likely seek additional security assistance and broaden diplomatic outreach to counteract isolation.

Lowy Institute