Taiwan: What is its status and why is it important in US-China relations? The island is among the central issues at a summit between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump A comprehensive budget travel guide to Taiwan with tips on what to do, where to stay, transportation, costs, and ways to save! Taiwan's military fired its new mobile HIMARS rocket system, which is widely used by Ukraine, simulating an attack on an invading Chinese force and demonstrating its ability to shoot-and-scoot. With its unique fusion of cultures, breathtaking scenery, diverse cuisine, exciting city life and well-developed hospitality industry, Taiwan is an ideal destination for many types of travelers. With around 23.9 million inhabitants, Taiwan is among the most densely populated countries. Taiwan has been settled for at least 25,000 years. Ancestors of Taiwanese indigenous peoples settled the island around 6,000 years ago. But Taiwan sees itself as distinct from the Chinese mainland, with its own constitution and democratically-elected leaders. Taiwan has strong links to China, its biggest trading partner. Taiwan’s history is a complex narrative shaped by indigenous cultures, colonial influences, and geopolitical dynamics. Indigenous groups have inhabited the island for millennia, developing unique traditions and societies. Taiwan is an island in the western Pacific Ocean that lies roughly 100 miles (160 km) off the coast of southeastern China. Taipei, in the north, is the seat of government of the Republic of China (ROC; Nationalist China). Taiwan: Population 23.60M, GDP $611.39B, Capital Taipei. Comprehensive country profile with geography, economy, government data and more. Taiwan (Republic of China) is located about 160 km off the Southeast coast of the continent of Asia, at the western edge of the Pacific Ocean between Japan and the Philippines.