Taiwan is pushing again to join the United Nations, a long-shot bid that keeps its dispute with Beijing in the international spotlight.

• Taiwan's foreign ministry says the 1971 U.N. resolution China uses to keep Taipei out never actually mentions Taiwan.
• Taipei accuses Beijing of changing the status quo by force — military pressure, cyberattacks, and economic squeeze.
• A new Chinese law passed in July is being called a tool to reach across borders and silence critics abroad.
• Taiwan's diplomatic allies will send a joint letter to the U.N. chief and speak up during the General Assembly debate later this month.

Outlook: The campaign will almost certainly fail again, but expect friction with Beijing to rise around the General Assembly session opening Sept. 8.