China's Fury Over Taiwan's US Visits: Explained

China is angry about Taiwan Vice President William Lai's recent stopovers in the United States, viewing it as collusion with Washington to push separatism on the self-governed island. China considers Taiwan a breakaway territory and has not ruled out the use of force to take control. Lai, who is the ruling Democratic Party's presidential candidate, is seen by China as a separatist due to his comments about supporting Taiwan's independence. Relations between China and Taiwan are strained, with Beijing refusing to engage in talks with Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen. The US-Taiwan relationship is governed by the Taiwan Relations Act, and while the US has followed a policy of "strategic ambiguity," President Joe Biden has expressed willingness to use force to defend Taiwan.