5 Key Reasons Why Does China Want Taiwan for Reunification

Few geopolitical questions spark as much tension and debate as Why does China want Taiwan? This small island, just over 100 miles from China’s coast, has become a focal point of global power struggles, economic competition, and military brinkmanship.

To Beijing, Taiwan is an inseparable part of its historical and territorial identity, while to much of the world, it represents a thriving democracy standing in defiance of authoritarian expansion. But beyond national pride and political rhetoric, what deeper strategic, economic, and military interests drive China’s unyielding claim?

Brief Overview of the China-Taiwan Relationship

Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), has long been at the heart of one of the world’s most significant geopolitical disputes. Situated off the southeast coast of China, Taiwan is an island that holds immense strategic, political, and economic importance.

While it is a vibrant democracy with a highly developed economy, its sovereignty is contested by the People’s Republic of China (PRC), which views Taiwan as a breakaway province and has been pushing for reunification. This long-standing dispute is shaped by centuries of historical ties, ideological divisions, and strategic considerations.

To fully understand why does China want Taiwan, it’s crucial to examine the deep historical roots of their relationship and the events that led to the current political divide.

Historical Context

Early Relations Between China and Taiwan

Taiwan’s history of integration with China can be traced back to the 17th century when the island became a part of the Chinese Empire. Following the collapse of the Ming Dynasty, Taiwan was briefly controlled by the Dutch and Spanish before the Qing Dynasty asserted its authority over the island.

The Qing rulers saw Taiwan as a strategic asset, incorporating it into their empire in the 1680s. However, this integration was not without challenges, as the island’s indigenous populations resisted Chinese rule, and Taiwan’s proximity to Japan and the Philippines made it an important site for regional influence.

The impact of Japanese colonial rule from 1895 to 1945 further complicated Taiwan’s identity. During this period, Taiwan’s infrastructure, economy, and educational system were developed under Japanese supervision, significantly altering the island’s cultural and political landscape. After Japan’s defeat in World War II, Taiwan was handed back to China as part of the post-war settlement.

The Chinese Civil War and Its Aftermath

The Chinese Civil War (1927-1949) marked a decisive turning point in the China-Taiwan relationship. The war pitted the Kuomintang (KMT), led by Chiang Kai-shek, against the Communist Party of China (CPC), led by Mao Zedong.

In 1949, as the Communists gained control of mainland China, the KMT retreated to Taiwan, where it established a separate government, the Republic of China (ROC). The CPC, which had established the People’s Republic of China (PRC), viewed Taiwan as a renegade province that must be reunified with the mainland.

This division set the stage for decades of tension. While Taiwan maintained a separate political system, the PRC consistently asserted its claim over the island, arguing that Taiwan’s status as a part of China was a historical and territorial imperative. This division led to two separate states with competing ideologies—Taiwan with its republican system and China with its Communist one.

Political Motivations

The One-China Policy

At the heart of China’s claim over Taiwan lies the One-China Policy, a diplomatic principle asserting that there is only one sovereign China, and Taiwan is an inseparable part of it. This policy is central to the CCP’s stance on Taiwan, framing any recognition of Taiwan as a separate entity as a direct challenge to China’s territorial integrity.

Since the 1970s, Beijing has leveraged this policy to exert diplomatic pressure, ensuring that countries and international organizations recognize the PRC as the sole legitimate government while refusing official ties with Taiwan.

One of the most significant turning points in this diplomatic strategy came in 1971 when the United Nations transferred China’s seat from the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the PRC, effectively stripping Taiwan of international recognition.

Since then, China has used economic and political influence to further isolate Taiwan on the world stage. Countries seeking diplomatic or trade relations with China are required to sever official ties with Taiwan, leading to a steady decline in the number of nations that recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state.

Beijing has also blocked Taiwan’s participation in international organizations such as the United Nations and the World Health Organization (WHO), reinforcing the message that Taiwan cannot exist as an independent entity.

Despite Taiwan’s functioning government, economy, and democratic institutions, China continues to assert that any recognition of Taiwan undermines global stability and violates the One-China principle.

National Identity and Sovereignty

Beyond diplomatic maneuvering, China’s claim over Taiwan is deeply rooted in its sense of national identity and historical sovereignty. The Chinese Communist Party views Taiwan as a breakaway province—a lingering remnant of the unfinished Chinese Civil War.

For Beijing, reunification is not just a political goal but a matter of restoring historical unity and correcting what it sees as an injustice of the past. The CCP’s official narrative portrays Taiwan’s separation as a consequence of foreign interference, particularly by Western powers, and asserts that reunification is necessary to fulfill China’s long-term national destiny.

The emphasis on Taiwan’s reunification is also tied to the CCP’s internal legitimacy. The party has built its authority on the idea of restoring China’s strength after centuries of foreign intervention and division. A failure to bring Taiwan under Beijing’s control would be seen as a sign of weakness.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has repeatedly stated that Taiwan “must and will be reunified”, emphasizing that the issue cannot be postponed indefinitely. While Beijing has promoted peaceful reunification through economic and political incentives, it has also made clear that military force remains an option if Taiwan moves toward formal independence.

For the CCP, Taiwan is a symbol of China’s national revival. Allowing Taiwan to function indefinitely as a separate political entity challenges the very foundation of the party’s rule and its broader ambitions of restoring China’s status as a global superpower. This is why, despite Taiwan’s thriving democracy and growing international support, Beijing remains unwavering in its commitment to reclaiming the island.

Economic Interests

Taiwan’s Technological Prowess

One of the most compelling economic reasons behind China’s desire to control Taiwan lies in the island’s dominance in the global semiconductor industry. Taiwan is home to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world’s leading producer of advanced microchips.

These semiconductors are the backbone of modern technology, powering everything from smartphones and computers to artificial intelligence systems and military equipment. TSMC alone accounts for more than 50% of the global foundry market and produces some of the most advanced chips that even China struggles to manufacture domestically.

China has long been dependent on foreign semiconductor technology, making Taiwan’s expertise a highly strategic asset. Despite significant investments in its own semiconductor industry, China still lags behind Taiwan, the United States, and South Korea in producing cutting-edge chips.

Gaining control over Taiwan would give Beijing direct access to critical semiconductor manufacturing capabilities, reducing its reliance on Western technology and strengthening its position in the global tech race. With the increasing importance of semiconductors in economic and military power, Taiwan’s chip industry represents an invaluable resource that China is determined to secure.

Trade and Economic Integration

Beyond technology, Taiwan and China already share deep economic ties. Despite political tensions, China remains Taiwan’s largest trading partner, accounting for a significant portion of its exports and imports.

Taiwan supplies China with high-tech components, while China provides raw materials and consumer goods, creating a mutually beneficial but politically fragile economic relationship.

However, Taiwan has been gradually reducing its economic reliance on China by diversifying its trade partnerships and strengthening ties with the United States, Japan, and Southeast Asian countries to counter Beijing’s influence.

China sees potential economic benefits in reunification, arguing that Taiwan would be better integrated into its economy, benefiting from access to its vast market and resources. Beijing has previously used economic incentives, such as trade agreements and investment opportunities, to persuade Taiwan toward closer integration.

However, many in Taiwan remain skeptical, fearing that economic dependence on China would lead to political control, similar to Beijing’s approach in Hong Kong.

While economic cooperation between China and Taiwan remains strong, the long-term question is whether these ties will lead to deeper integration or reinforce Taiwan’s resolve to maintain its autonomy.

Strategic and Military Considerations

Geopolitical Significance of Taiwan’s Location

Taiwan’s strategic location in the Western Pacific plays a critical role in China’s broader geopolitical ambitions. Positioned along the First Island Chain, which stretches from Japan in the north to the Philippines in the south, Taiwan acts as a gatekeeper to China’s access to the Pacific Ocean.

Control of Taiwan would not only provide China with a powerful military foothold in the region but also enable it to strengthen its influence over vital maritime trade routes that connect East Asia with the rest of the world.

The First Island Chain is crucial for China’s maritime security and trade routes, as it essentially defines the boundary between China’s territorial waters and the open Pacific. Taiwan’s control offers an advantageous position for monitoring and potentially blocking maritime traffic through the South China Sea, a region rich in natural resources and a key global shipping route.

From a military perspective, Taiwan also serves as a buffer against external powers, such as the United States and Japan, which have military alliances with regional neighbors and have maintained a strong presence in the Pacific. For China, Taiwan’s position directly impacts its ability to secure its maritime borders and project power within Asia and beyond.

Enhancing Military Reach

If China were to gain control over Taiwan, it would significantly enhance its military presence in the Pacific, allowing for quicker deployment of forces and resources due to Taiwan’s proximity to the mainland. This would strengthen China’s ability to defend its interests in the South China Sea, where its territorial claims have drawn international criticism.

More importantly, Taiwan’s capture would shift the regional balance of power, particularly by undermining U.S. influence. For decades, the U.S. Navy has maintained dominance across the Taiwan Strait, ensuring regional stability and supporting allies. Losing Taiwan would limit U.S. access to key waterways and allow China to challenge freedom of navigation, reshaping security dynamics in the region.

Additionally, Taiwan’s strategic position would bolster China’s influence over neighboring countries like Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines, expanding its reach through initiatives like the Belt and Road. This shift in the regional balance is a key factor driving China’s pursuit of reunification with Taiwan.

Ideological Factors

The CCP’s Liberation Ideology

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) views Taiwan as the final piece of “unfinished business” from the Chinese Civil War, which divided the mainland and Taiwan. Reunification is framed as a moral and historical necessity to restore China’s full sovereignty.

For the CCP, achieving this goal is central to maintaining its legitimacy, as it positions itself as the sole legitimate government of China. Reunification is not just about territorial integrity; it is a cornerstone of the CCP’s narrative of national recovery and strength. Failing to reunite Taiwan would undermine the party’s authority, especially as leaders like Xi Jinping emphasize this goal as a central part of their political agenda.

Countering Democratic Ideals

Another critical ideological factor in China’s desire to control Taiwan is the concern over Taiwan’s democratic system and its potential influence on the mainland. Since the 1990s, Taiwan has developed into a vibrant democracy, characterized by free elections, a thriving civil society, and a growing sense of national identity.

This shift from authoritarian rule to democracy has become a significant point of contention for the Chinese Communist Party, which views Taiwan’s political system as a direct challenge to its own one-party state. The CCP fears that Taiwan’s success as a democratic society could serve as a model for mainland China.

The CCP has long relied on the idea of authoritarian stability as a justification for its rule, arguing that China’s prosperity and national strength are best achieved under a centralized, one-party system. The rise of Taiwan as a democratic and prosperous society, however, presents a compelling counter-narrative: that democracy and economic development can coexist outside of CCP control.

To prevent this alternative model from gaining traction in China, Beijing has employed a range of tactics aimed at discrediting Taiwan’s system and suppressing similar democratic movements on the mainland. These efforts include state-controlled media campaigns, harsh crackdowns on dissent, and the promotion of nationalism that ties the Chinese people’s identity to the CCP’s authority.

In addition to suppressing domestic calls for democratization, China also seeks to undermine Taiwan’s international standing by isolating it diplomatically. The CCP’s belief is that by limiting Taiwan’s global influence and undermining its legitimacy as a sovereign nation, it can prevent the island from serving as an ideological beacon for other regions that might question China’s political system.

International Relations and Global Implications

U.S. Involvement and the Taiwan Relations Act

The United States has long played a pivotal role in the Taiwan issue, even though it officially recognizes the One-China Policy. The cornerstone of U.S. involvement in Taiwan’s defense is the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), enacted in 1979 after the U.S. formally switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing.

While the TRA does not explicitly guarantee military intervention, it commits the U.S. to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, including the supply of arms and military equipment. The Act underscores the U.S. policy of supporting Taiwan’s security without committing to direct military intervention unless Taiwan is attacked.

The Taiwan Relations Act was designed to preserve the delicate balance between acknowledging China’s claim to Taiwan and ensuring that the island had the resources to maintain its defense capabilities. Over the years, this policy has been a key factor in shaping Taiwan’s security posture, as the island relies on advanced weapons systems and training provided by the U.S. to deter Chinese aggression.

The U.S. has consistently opposed any unilateral actions by Beijing to change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait, and it has maintained a policy of strategic ambiguity—leaving open the possibility of intervention in the event of Chinese military action against Taiwan, but not explicitly committing to such a course of action in advance.

The U.S.-Taiwan relationship has had significant implications for U.S.-China relations. Beijing views Washington’s support for Taiwan as a direct challenge to its territorial integrity, and as a result, it has consistently protested any U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and any actions that might signal increased American involvement in the island’s defense.

Over the years, U.S. policy on Taiwan has been a source of tension between the two superpowers, and these tensions have only intensified in recent years, as China’s military modernization and assertiveness in the region have increased.

While the U.S. has sought to maintain strong economic and diplomatic ties with China, it has also reaffirmed its commitment to Taiwan’s security, resulting in a complex and sometimes confrontational dynamic between the two countries.

The U.S. stance on Taiwan has broader global implications as well. Taiwan is seen by many as a democratic ally in a region increasingly dominated by authoritarian regimes, and Washington has used its relationship with Taiwan to push back against Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific.

The U.S. also views Taiwan as a crucial partner in countering China’s growing military and economic clout, making the issue of Taiwan not just one of bilateral concern but a central element of U.S.-China competition on the world stage.

Conclusion

The question of why China wants Taiwan is multifaceted, shaped by a combination of historical, political, economic, and strategic factors. From China’s perspective, Taiwan represents an unfinished chapter in the Chinese Civil War, a breakaway province that must be reunited with the mainland to restore China’s full sovereignty and national unity.

Economically, Taiwan’s technological prowess, particularly in the semiconductor industry, and its strategic location in the Pacific, make it an invaluable asset to China’s global ambitions. Militarily, controlling Taiwan would enhance China’s power projection capabilities, allowing it to challenge U.S. influence in the region and strengthen its dominance over critical maritime trade routes.

At the same time, Taiwan’s thriving democracy and its relationship with the United States complicate China’s efforts, creating tensions that have far-reaching implications for global security. The U.S. commitment to Taiwan’s defense under the Taiwan Relations Act continues to act as a counterbalance to China’s assertiveness, ensuring that the Taiwan issue remains one of the most contentious in international relations. Ultimately, why does China want Taiwan not only about territorial claims but about power, influence, and the desire to shape the future of the Indo-Pacific region.