Taiwanese authorities have arrested two Chinese nationals who sailed over in a small boat and attempted to land on an island. It is the third incident this month in which Chinese nationals appear to have reached Taiwan by boat, stoking security concerns.

Taiwan wants peace and dialogue with China but the government must continue to strengthen the island’s defences, President Lai Ching-te said on Tuesday as

President Lai says Taiwan will continue to strengthen its defence as preparing for war is best way to avoid it

China has long sought to intimidate Taiwan with its massive navy, air force and the world's largest standing army, but it's mere dinghies that are now causing the most consternation.

Beijing will replace the United States as the organization’s top state donor, expanding its influence as the U.S. retreats from international cooperation.

China has little to gain and everything to lose by altering the world’s current geopolitical trajectory.

Whether all this comes in time remains to be seen. Military analysts fear that China could invade Taiwan as early as 2027. If war comes, Taiwan’s hope and expectation is that the United States will enter the fray. Wargames point to costly fighting and losses if that happens, including the specter of potential escalation to nuclear war.

The activity follows several high-profile cable cuts, with Taiwan detaining one Chinese crew on suspicion of sabotage.

By Ben Blanchard and Yimou Lee TAIPEI (Reuters) -Taiwan wants peace and dialogue with China but the government must continue to strengthen the island's defences, President Lai Ching-te said on Tuesday as he completed one year in office.

No honeymoon for the leader called inflexible, ineffectual in relations with Washington, and still on a collision course with Beijing.