What's happening?

Taiwan is an island caught in the middle of two different worlds.

One is ChinaA country in East Asia, home to 1.4 billion people., which says that Taiwan is part of its country. The other is the USAThe United States of America is a country in North America. It has a population of 329 million. , which supports Taiwan's right to rule itself. 

Taiwan is an island that is separated from mainland China by the Taiwan StraitPart of the South China Sea, separating Taiwan from mainland China. . It is home to 23.5 million people. Taiwan elects its own leader and politiciansSomeone whose job it is to be involved in running a country. Politicians try to persuade people they have the best ideas to run the country. . Taiwanese people have their own money and their own passports. 

The relationship between the USA and China is getting worse. Many fear that China could be planning to invade Taiwan and rule the island.

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This week, Taiwan's president is in the USA meeting American politicians. Last year, top American politician Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan, angering China. 

Taiwan wants to show China that it still has its own relationship with the USA. But some say it is not worth angering China by having American politicians visit Taiwan. 

Taiwan's former leader, Ma Ying-jeou has just visited China after being invited by Chinese leaders. On his trip, he said that people in Taiwan are Chinese. But more than 60% of people in Taiwan do not agree. They say they are Taiwanesse, not Chinese. 

Yes! Visits between American and Taiwanese politicians are angering China. If an invasion happened, the rest of the world may become involved in a war.

No! Taiwan is keeping friendships with both China and the USA. This is making the world a more peaceful place.