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Taiwan and China: Everything you need to know

We explain why countries are arguing over Taiwan.

Taiwan is an island about 180 kilometres off the coast of China - nearly 24 million people live there. Taiwan is self governed but China says it鈥檚 part of its territory. Only 12 countries (plus the Vatican) officially recognise Taiwan as a country. Taiwan is increasingly worried that China could be preparing to take the island by force.

Whatever happens there could affect your whole online life, because Taiwan makes most of the world鈥檚 computer chips, which power your phone, your laptop, AI apps and electric cars.

In this episode Shawn Yuan from the 麻豆社鈥檚 Global China Unit explains the relationship between Taiwan and China and how the whole world could be affected if conflict broke out.

We also hear from Taiwanese students Yi-Ting and Louis and Chinese student Rongzhi, who tell us how they feel about Taiwan-China relations.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld
Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk
WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6
Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Video producer: Baldeep Chahal
Producers: Julia Ross-Roy, Imogen James and Benita Barden
Editor: Verity Wilde

Available now

14 minutes

Last on

Wed 17 Dec 2025 03:50GMT

Broadcasts

  • Tue 16 Dec 2025 18:50GMT
  • Wed 17 Dec 2025 03:50GMT

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