China is carrying out large-scale development of air and naval sites along its eastern coast, which experts say could be used to launch an invasion of Taiwan.

Taiwan will issue new security guidelines next week in an updated civil defence handbook that, for the first time, will instruct citizens on what to do if they see enemy soldiers and clarifies that any claims of Taiwan's surrender should be considered false.

The U.S. and other Western navies have periodically sent warships to the strait in shows of force to preserve the status quo, and to openly reject the Chinese government's recent assertions that foreign military vessels should not be allowed to operate in the waters without its permission.

If China were to attack Taiwan, it may well also bring the fight directly to the U.S., with a long list of potentially catastrophic actions.

Analysis of island's arms, including Himars and tanks, points out vulnerabilities, says battlefield hasn't changed A popular mainland Chinese military magazine has detailed plans to counter Taiwan's most advanced weapons in a conflict - including its newly acquired US-made Himars multiple rocket launcher - a weapon it says does not change the battlefield.

China is preparing for war to take Taiwan, the island's top China policymaker said in Washington on Friday, warning if Taiwan were to fall it would cause a regional "domino effect" that would threaten the security of the United States.

Taiwan is racing to fortify itself against the possibility of conflict with China. Fighter jets roar across the divide,

The People's Liberation Army displayed tanks and nuclear-capable missiles as Xi Jinping promised China's "great rejuvenation."