Beijing claims full sovereignty over Taiwan, a democracy of almost 24 million people located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. Even though Taiwan has never been controlled by China's ruling Communist Party, authorities in Beijing insist the island is an integral part of their territory and have for years imposed diplomatic, trade and military pressure on Taipei, marginalizing it in the international community and allegedly interfering in the island's politics.
This has resulted in Taiwan being blocked from participating in the World Health Organization and other international bodies -- and sometimes even being listed as part of the People's Republic of China by other groups.
