Emerging flashpoint

Boats sail next to Pingtan island, the closest point between China and Taiwan’s main island, in Fujian province on Wednesday. Beijing has increased the deployment of fighter jets and naval vessels around Taiwan in recent years to press its claim of sovereignty, which Taipei rejects. Tensions between Taipei and Beijing have escalated since Lai took office in May 2024 and adopted tougher rhetoric than his predecessor Tsai Ing-wen in defending the island’s sovereignty. While Taiwan sees itself as a sovereign country, only 11 mostly Pacific and Caribbean countries and the Vatican recognize its claim to statehood.