Beijing claims sovereignty over Taiwan despite China's ruling Communist Party never having controlled the island -- and considers the strait part of its internal waters. The US Navy, however, says most of the strait is in international waters.

Like many Canadian-born Chinese (CBCs), Yao's parents are from Hong Kong. Brought up in multicultural Toronto, she, like other young CBCs, is stuck between two cultures.

He came in an said Pack, we were booked for Macau. When we got there, I played fantan in the Lisboa and he crossed over into Zhongshan.

On the right, facing southward, rises Graylock, all beshagged with forest, and with headlong precipices of rock appearing among the black pines.