Xi visits Fujian as China steps up military activity near Taiwan

Xi Jinping recently went to Fujian province‚ which is close to Taiwan. This trip happened right after China did big military exercises near Taiwan. These exercises used lots of planes‚ ships and the Liaoning aircraft carrier.

The Chinese government news agency Xinhua‚ didnt say Xi talked about the military stuff during his visit. But its clear that Xi and the Communist Party still want to make Taiwan part of China. They think Taiwan belongs to them.

Taiwan just had its National Day about a week ago. During this celebration Lai Ching-te‚ who is Taiwans new president said some things that made China upset. He told everyone that China cant speak for Taiwan and that he will fight against China trying to take over.

China sent a record 125 planes near Taiwan during its exercises — thats more than ever before. They also used their big aircraft carrier and other ships to practice blocking Taiwan. This happened only a few days after Taiwans celebration.

Taiwan has a complicated history: it used to be controlled by Japan then it was part of China after World War II ended (about 79 years ago). But in 1949 when the Communists took over China the other group - the Nationalists - ran away to Taiwan. Since then Taiwan has been separate from China.

Xi and the Chinese government dont like that Taiwan acts like its own country. They keep saying Taiwan is part of China and sometimes they even talk about using force to take control of the island.

We will resolutely prevent anyone from splitting Taiwan from China in any way

China doesnt agree with Lai Ching-te because he thinks Taiwan should be independent. The Chinese government gets really mad when Taiwanʼs leaders say things like this.

These big military exercises and Xiʼs trip to Fujian show that China is still very focused on the Taiwan issue. Its a problem that doesnt seem to be going away anytime soon