China's new Defense Minister Li Shangfu: "We will never promise to refrain from the use of force" China considers the democratic island republic to be part of the People's Republic. However, Taiwan, which today has a population of 23 million, has had an independent government for more than seven decades.
U.S. has committed itself to the island's defense capability, which has so far mainly meant arms deliveries. US President Joe Biden had assured that he would also come to Taiwan's aid with US troops in the event of a Chinese attack.