Taiwan, an island nation, is claimed by China under its "one country, two systems" constitutional principle. However, the democratically-run East Asian country has operated with autonomy and the support of the U.S. for decades. In recent years, analysts have increasingly warned that Beijing could move militarily to take control of the island by force.
"We need to make the US aware that no matter what threats it poses or forces it uses, China's reunification will eventually happen. Setting stumbling blocks to reunification across the Straits would mean a fundamental confrontation," The Global Times editorial cautioned.