China’s invasion of Taiwan is a matter of ‘when’ rather than ‘if’ according to reports from the CIA

The war in Ukraine is reportedly affecting Beijing’s calculations on how to invade the island-nation.

The Director of the CIA Bill Burns, says China is determined to use force in Taiwan, which it sees as a breakaway region.

Burns is playing down speculation that Chinese president Xi Jinping could move onto the island after a key Communist party meeting, which is scheduled for later this year.

“I suspect the lesson that the Chinese leadership and military are drawing is that you’ve got to amass overwhelming force if you’re going to contemplate that in the future,” he says.

The CIA has also reportedly seen China stepping up its purchases of Russian energy. However, Beijing is being careful about not experiencing any western sanctions.

Washington maintains a “strategic ambiguity” approach to Taiwanese affairs and security.

Meanwhile, China’s Foreign Ministry believes “China is firmly against all forms of official interaction between the Taiwan region and the EU”.

Beijing’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lijian Zhao says China is against “any force or individual to play[ing] the ‘Taiwan card’.