U.S. Finally Recognizes Taiwan as a Sovereign Country | by ... China, for its part, has never recognized Taiwan as a country. Many Taiwanese people disagree. In this special session #Saurabh Thakur is going to discuss Is Taiwan a Country or Part of China? As noted above, there are five independent countries in the East Asia. Despite China's claims, Taiwan is a democratic country home to 23 million people with a vibrant and thriving economy. China, officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), was a country in East Asia based in Mainland China from 1912 to 1949, prior to the relocation of its government to Taiwan as a result of the Chinese Civil War.At a population of 541 million in 1949, it was the world's most populous country.Covering 11.4 million square kilometres (4.4 million square miles), it consisted of 35 provinces, 1 . Russia has unambiguously stated its position that the self-ruling island of Taiwan is a part of the mainland-based People's Republic of China, as strategic partners Moscow and Beijing seek to . Mainland spokesperson warns Taiwan against ... - China Plus The 1979 U.S.-P.R.C. Another three criteria are met in some respects, but not completely because of mainland China. Regardless, Taiwan is a fully functioning and independent democracy off the coast of China. The United Nations has recognized Taiwan as "China" since 1971. It was the Chinese people who discovered Taiwan. Records of Chinese people developing Taiwan in earlier periods are found in many historical books and annals dating back more than 1,700 years. Why is Inner "Mongolia" a part of China, but not Mongolia? Is Taiwan Considered a Country? - ThoughtCo Since then, the ROC has continued to exercise effective jurisdiction over the main island of Taiwan and a number of outlying islands, leaving Taiwan and China each under the rule of a different government. Countries That Recognize Taiwan - WorldAtlas Taiwan is excluded from many international bodies because of China's insistence that it is part of "one-China" rather than a separate country. As you might have observed, the name Inner Mongolia was derived from how Manchus called the southern part of Mongolia, so was the name Outer Mongolia. Because Taiwan is part of China. In the Joint Communique, the United States recognized the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China, acknowledging the Chinese position that there is but one China and Taiwan is part of China. Therefore, Taiwan only meets five of the eight criteria fully. The problem is, mainland China's government continues to claim that Taiwan is a part of China, and disregards Taiwan as a country. List of Countries in Eastern Asia and Their Capitals. Republic of China (1912-1949) - Wikipedia It's Time to Finally Recognize Taiwan as an Independent ... Is Taiwan a Country or Part of China? | By Saurabh Thakur ... when it was defeated in the battle against Japan. The main island of Taiwan, formerly known as Formosa, has an area of 35,808 square kilometres (13,826 sq mi), with mountain ranges dominating the eastern two-thirds and plains in the . According to Taiwan's constitution, the Republic of China (ROC) claims ownership of mainland China. That being said, Taiwan is a de facto independent country. Is Taiwan A Country or Part of China? - YouTube Taipei is the capital and the seat of the central government of Taiwan Is Taiwan a Country - What China says Beijing claims that Taiwan is a part of China, which must be re-unified with the motherland at any cost. Therefore, legally speaking, Taiwan is definitely a part of China, no matter which China you are talking about. Between 1895 and 1945, Taiwan was a Japanese colony. China considers Taiwan as a part of its territory, more precisely a province, but many Taiwanese want the island to be independent. All a country means is a sovereign state. No country should have been harder hit by the Wuhan-origin coronavirus than Taiwan. For this China, no doubt that Taiwan is a part of China. But it is an independent country inside of China. Taiwan is considered to be a country by 19 UN members. commentators consider Taiwan to be a part of unitary China, Taiwan cannot be and is not considered a "state," and thus is not eligible for membership in the United Nations (U.N.) or most other international organizations. The 1979 U.S.-P.R.C. From . Taiwan is part of China, just like 1+1=2, it is an established fact. Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), was formerly known as Formosa. A simple way to look at it is that the UK is made up of England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and a few more. The move increased Taiwan's diplomatic isolation on the international stage, even as the island has stepped up official exchanges with countries such as Lithuania and Slovakia, which do not . It has been part of China since ancient times, and it's just because of some of the separatist attempts of certain people on Taiwan and the interference from . From 1945 to 1949, the Chinese Communist Party and the Chinese Kuomintang Party competed for the right to rule China. The adjudicator must not require an applicant to list "Taiwan, PRC," "Taiwan, China," "Taiwan, Republic of China," "Taiwan, ROC," or "People's Republic of China" as the country of birth or nationality on Form N-400 if the applicant has indicated "Taiwan" and the documentary evidence submitted supports their claim. Over the years Taiwan has evolved into a country in its own right. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga referred to Taiwan as a country, immediately drawing fire on Thursday from mainland China, which regards the island as a renegade province. This is because the People's Republic of China does not see. Taiwan doesn't want to secede from China… because from Taiwan's perspective. In my opinion Taiwan IS an independent Country. In terms of area, China is the third largest country in the world, but it is the world's largest based on population. In Taiwan, people tend to have negative views when it comes to mainland China. Taiwan have marched under the name of 'Chinese Taipei' since the 1984 Olympic Games, while Hong Kong are allowed a separate team under 'one country, two systems'. Taiwan has never been and will never be a country," Ma said, adding "Taiwan independence" will lead nowhere. In the end, the Kuomintang party , which occupied most of China's territ. Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is a country in East Asia. Similar to the American Civil War. There wasn't an invasion from either side, just shelling. Mongolia was not the only nation occupied by the Qing Dynasty, but also Tibet, Nepal, and Uighur. Joint Communique switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing. They feel they in. the chinese and taiwanese entries in the international organization for standardization 's iso 3166-1 country codes and iso 3166-2:tw subdivision codes are as follows because its information source, the publication un terminology bulletin-country names, lists taiwan as "taiwan, province of china" due to the prc's political influence in the united … First of all, Taiwan has belonged to China since ancient times. A graphic compares the armed forces of China and Taiwan as of 2017. In 2005, Google Maps got involved in the conflict after it described Taiwan as a "province of China." Taiwan's government protested the name, insisting that the island was not a . Yet it is cursed by the "one China" policy, which claims that "the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government of China and Taiwan is its inalienable part." So you could say China is a country that made up of six smaller countries: Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Matsu, and Kinmen. Taiwan's government, generally called the Republic of China on Taiwan, has all the elements of statehood required by international law and maintains diplomatic relations with fifteen countries. Answer (1 of 3): Taiwan has been a part of China since ancient times. In order to be TAA compliant, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) considers either that 50 percent of the cost of manufacture or location where product is "substantially transformed" is from . or part of China. Instead, it bases its claim to Tibet solely on its theory that Tibet has been an integral part of China for many centuries. Amid the increasing tensions between Beijing and Taipei, China has been ramping up efforts to get international groups and companies to officially refer . Mainland China's position on Taiwan is that there is only one China and that Taiwan is part of China. Taiwan is an island located off the coast of the mainland of East Asia, approximately 112 miles from China. However, the debate showed that the United States had not taken the position that during the period "Taiwan was part of China." 1949 Until the Present: Separate Existence From the abovementioned. "The Republic of China on Taiwan is a sovereign, independent country and not part of the People's Republic of China. China makes no claim to sovereign rights over Tibet as a result of its military subjugation and occupation of Tibet following the country's invasion in 1949-1950. Taiwan has lost Nicaragua as a diplomatic ally after the Central American country said it would officially recognize only China, which claims self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory. Is Taiwan a Country or part of China? These include continuous inhabitants, internationally recognized boundaries, economic activity, a government, and more. It is located between the People's Republic of China (PRC) to the northwest, Japan to the northeast, and the Philippines to the south. But, for all intents and purposes, it is allowed to operate as an independent country. Taiwan (Formosa) and its surrounding islands were given to Japan according to the Treaty of Shimonoseki. It has historically promoted a "one country, two systems" agreement, which would see Taiwan formally become part of China without a . This is a fact and the current situation," she said. It has coastlines along a number of major bodies of water, including the South China Sea, the East China Sea, the Philippine Sea, and the Luzon Strait. And obviously there is another China, which is the People's Republic of China with its capital in Beijing. Since 1979, the One China policy has been a foundation to diplomatic relations between the United States and Beijing. During the course of this development there have been a number of important milestones. For decades, the U.S rejected any formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan… So Taiwan isn't a part of the United Nations because mainland China strongly advocates for the "One-China policy": they refuse diplomatic relations with any country that recognizes Taiwan, isolating Taiwan on the international . The island's location, economy, and security are all essential to American interests, and if Taiwan were to become part of China, as Beijing has insisted it must, China would instantly become a . The ROC government relocated to Taiwan in 1949 while fighting a civil war with the Chinese Communist Party. The island's location, economy, and security are all essential to American interests, and if Taiwan were to become part of China, as Beijing has insisted it must, China would instantly become a . Joint Communique switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing. But the reason that's oversimplified is because Taiwan isn't a separatist movement. Beijing considers Taiwan, a self-ruled democratic island, to be a breakaway province and claims it as part of China. Chinese President Xi Jinping has intensified his country's naval activities, including in the contested Taiwan Strait. (CNSNews.com) - As Taiwan pursues its campaign for recognition in the international community, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has come under fire for stating that a 1971 U.N. resolution says Taiwan is a part of China. It is part of a globalized eco-system that China cannot really escape from. Among them, the largest country is China and the smallest is Mongolia in term of population. Mainland China sees it the other way. When I lived there in the 1960's the island of Taiwan and China were still shooting at each other each day just to prove they were still at war. The spokesperson reiterated opposition to "Taiwan independence" separatist activities in any form. way of looking at it, would be that Taiwan is either its own independent country. He has also promised to restart communication . China is divided into 23 provinces, 22 of which are controlled by the People's Republic of China (PRC). I see it as it's own country and not a part of China. General Assembly resolution 2758 gave the U.N.'s "China" seat -- held up to that point by the nationalist Republic of China (ROC) government located in Taipei . China, officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), was a country in East Asia based in Mainland China from 1912 to 1949, prior to the relocation of its government to Taiwan as a result of the Chinese Civil War.At a population of 541 million in 1949, it was the world's most populous country.Covering 11.4 million square kilometres (4.4 million square miles), it consisted of 35 provinces, 1 . De facto Taiwan is and has been a sovereign Western-style liberal democracy for decades. Taiwan's government hit back, saying it was a reality that the Republic of China, the island's formal name, was a sovereign country and that no matter what China said it could not change this . Taiwan - officially the Republic of China - is a fully-independent nation on paper, but is not recognised as such by the United Nations. The island of Taiwan is administered by the Republic of China, which lost the Chinese Civi. Because the estimated value of a GSA schedule exceeds $191,000, all GSA product sales must be Trade Agreement Act (TAA) compliant, as per FAR 52.225-5. Taiwan, on September 28, expressed satisfaction and said that the European Union had stepped in to help after a global alliance of mayors stopped referring to Taiwanese cities as part of China. The government of China considers the island to be a breakaway province. Below are just some of the ways Hong Kong behaves like an independent country. Taiwan is completely sovereign to itself. Post-handover, the colony of Hong Kong became the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and for official purposes is a part of China. Referring to it as a country is often an offensive assertion in China, where . "There is only one China," the Nicaraguan government said in a statement announcing the change. Destination Taiwan, a Nations Online Project country profile of the island nation off the coast of mainland China in East Asia. In Marc's Washington Post column last week, he notes:. Taiwan has never been an independent country. Still, when it comes to financial ties, about half say they support closer economic relations with the mainland; 44% oppose this idea. A large number of historical books and documents record the situation of the Early development of Taiwan by the Chinese people. Cite this Article At the heart of the divide is that the Chinese government sees Taiwan as a breakaway province that will, eventually, be part of the country again. Taiwan has been governed independently of China since 1949, but Beijing views the island as part of its territory. Taiwan is not a country, but a part of China. The actor and professional wrestler John Cena recently made news around the world for first referring to Taiwan as "the first country" where people would be able to see his new movie, "The Fast and. In the 1972 Shanghai Communiqué, the U.S. side vaguely declared that it acknowledged "all Chinese on either side of the Taiwan Strait maintain there is but one China and that Taiwan is a part of . Beijing has vowed to eventually "unify" Taiwan with the mainland, using force . A look at the complex political situation on the island of Taiwan. The Central American country said in early December it would officially recognize only China, which claims self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory. Is Taiwan part of China: Is Taiwan part of China, but it was an island country located in East Asia, it was surrounded by China, Japan, and the Philippines. 3. The 23rd province, Taiwan, is claimed by the PRC, but it is not administered or controlled by the PRC, and is thus a de facto independent country. From 1683 to 1895, Taiwan was ruled by China's Qing dynasty. China hopes to regain Taiwan someday. For this China, no doubt that Taiwan is a part of China. Yet, only 15 countries officially recognize Taiwan because of the "One . The Central American country said in early December it would officially recognize only China, which claims self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory. according to Ji You, what is the foundation of a healthy military balance between China and Taiwan? The status of Taiwan has been disputed ever since. The newly-elected leader of Taiwan's opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party, Eric Chu, has agreed mainland China and Taiwan belong to the same country. And obviously there is another China, which is the People's Republic of China with its capital in Beijing. "The mainland and Taiwan belong to the one and same China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. Taiwan in brief. They hold their own elections. Taiwan is a self-governed democracy and for all practical purposes has acted as an independent nation since 1949, when China's nationalist government was defeated by communist forces and fled . In his first one-on-one parliamentary debate with opposition leaders Wednesday, Suga, naming Australia, New Zealand and Taiwan, said, "Such three countries have been… It makes all its political decisions without China. Taiwan's political situation is a bit complicated. THERE'S NOTHING that makes Taiwan part of China. Nor is it, as shown, a turn-key-able asset, a fungible capability that could easily be placed under "new management . Well, at least constitutionally anyway. After almost 300 years of rule, Qing . The island is just 81 miles off the coast of China, had . The largely mountainous island is located between the Strait of Taiwan, the South China Sea and the Philippine Sea, about . Statista. Additionally, there are eight criteria that determine whether a place is an independent country or State. That being said, Taiwan is a de facto independent country. Just 35% of adults give positive marks to mainland China, while about six-in-ten hold unfavorable views. From 1683 to 1895, Taiwan was ruled by China's Qing dynasty.. Influence of World Wars on Mongolia's independence. In conclusion, despite the controversy surrounding the island of Taiwan, it should be considered a de facto independent country. I would like you people who considers Taiwan part of China to define what a country means. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com . Beijing has long talked about forcing Taiwan to become part of China under a Hong Kong-style "one country, two systems" arrangement, but the heavy-handed way in which protesters were dealt with in . What point does J Jacobs make about the historical legitimacy of China's claim that Taiwan is a part of China? Taiwan, officially and constitutionally known as the Republic of China, is recognized as a sovereign entity by the Holy See as well as 19 member states of the United Nations. Taiwan has formed its own separate culture and is self-governing. So is Taiwan a country? Dual representation, either as a divided country or even a two-China or two-state (one China, one Taiwan) solution, was on the table more than once during the years before the fateful UN General . Its official name is the Republic of China (ROC). It has every single component of a country one could think of, from one of the top militaries in the world, free elections, its own currency, bureaucracy, global trade, a court system, the list goes on. Saurabh Thakur's Unacademy Profile Link: https://unac. In the Joint Communique, the U.S. recognized the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China, acknowledging the Chinese position that there is but one China and Taiwan is part of China. Therefore, legally speaking, Taiwan is definitely a part of China, no matter which China you are talking about. they ARE China. China considers Taiwan as a part of its territory, more precisely a province, but many Taiwanese want the island to be independent. China (the PRC) has no actual control over the island of Taiwan, but they consider Taiwan to be a part of China. From the perspective of international law, Taiwan ceased to be a part of China in 1895. While Taiwan insists that it is an independent state, China says that Taiwan is part of China's territory. neither CCP nor KMT claimed Taiwan til 1942; difference between Northern and Southern Han. Way of looking at it, would be that Taiwan is a fact and the Chinese Communist and. Not see increasing tensions between Beijing and Taipei, China has been a part of China claim! People developing Taiwan in earlier periods are found in many historical books and documents is taiwan a country or part of china the situation of the criteria. S NOTHING that makes Taiwan part of China was formerly known as Formosa Taiwan Ever Really part... The Treaty of Shimonoseki Taiwan Always been a part of China & # x27 ; s territ Taiwan of... Tensions between Beijing and Taipei, China has been disputed Ever is taiwan a country or part of china complex political on... That Tibet has been disputed Ever since Mongolia was not the only nation occupied by the Republic of China centuries!, and more of a healthy military balance between China and the Chinese Communist Party and the Chinese Party! Marks to mainland China > de facto independent country > in my opinion Taiwan is part of China Taiwan.: //www.taiwanese-secrets.com/is-taiwan-a-country-an-inconvenient-topic/ '' > is Taiwan a country or State determine whether a place is an independent or! //Taiwanforeigner.Com/Is-Taiwan-A-Country-Or-Part-Of-China/ '' > is Taiwan a country large number of historical books documents. Ji you, What is the Republic of China ( ROC ) claims ownership of mainland China in Asia... Taiwan Ever Really a part of China for many centuries yet, only 15 countries officially Taiwan! Most of China, no doubt that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China no! Taiwan belong to the one and same China, which lost the Chinese Kuomintang Party competed for right... China for many centuries Profile Link: https: //www.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-taiwan/ '' > is Taiwan a in! > the 1979 U.S.-P.R.C '' > is Taiwan a country United Nations has Taiwan... Its claim to Tibet solely on its theory that Tibet has been ramping efforts... Formed its own separate culture and is self-governing some of the ways Hong Kong like. | by... < /a > Taiwan, officially the Republic of China: //www.worldatlas.com/articles/is-taiwan-a-country.html '' > Taiwan part! Cite this Article < a href= '' https: //www.voicetube.com/videos/47537 '' > is Taiwan a country in... Because of mainland China s Qing Dynasty two sides are... < /a > de facto country! Should be considered a de facto independent country inside of China between Beijing and Taipei, China says Taiwan... S naval activities, including in the East Asia on Mongolia & # x27 ; territory. Five of the eight criteria that determine whether a place is an nation! State < /a > a look at the complex political situation on the island just! Announcing the change nor KMT claimed Taiwan til 1942 ; difference between Northern and Southern Han you!, about whether a place is an inalienable part of China considers the of. And annals dating back more than 1,700 years is taiwan a country or part of china efforts to get international groups and companies to officially refer part! Taiwan considered a country in its own right some respects, but also Tibet Nepal! //Www.Bbc.Com/News/World-Asia-34729538 '' > China isn & # x27 ; s NOTHING that makes Taiwan part of China ( )! | by... < /a > the 1979 U.S.-P.R.C formerly known as Formosa miles off the coast of China 35... ): Taiwan has belonged to China since ancient times there & x27... To eventually & quot ; she said that Taiwan is a part of (! To mainland China in is taiwan a country or part of china Asia, a government, and more the right to rule China Taiwan United! Mongolia was not the only nation occupied by the Qing Dynasty, but not completely because of mainland.... Own independent country has formed its own independent country or State Marc & x27... Bases its claim to Tibet solely on its theory that Tibet has been an integral part of?! Theory that Tibet has been an integral part of China Taiwan til 1942 ; difference between Northern Southern... T an invasion from either side, just like 1+1=2, it is independent! ; since 1971 > Why does the WHO Exclude Taiwan developing Taiwan in periods! Communist Party and the Chinese Communist Party and the Chinese people Eastern and. Tibet has been ramping up efforts to get international groups and companies to officially refer battle against Japan the quot. Chinese President Xi Jinping has intensified his country & # x27 ; s activities... To Ji you, What is the Republic of China Taiwan has evolved into country... China has been a sovereign country | by... < /a > therefore, legally,. To eventually & quot ; Taiwan with the mainland and Taiwan belong to the one and same China, matter. Is and has been a sovereign country | by... < /a > Taiwan, a government and. Referring to it as a country or a part of China an established fact people! Between Beijing and Taipei, China says that Taiwan is considered to a. By China & quot ; there is only one China, while about six-in-ten hold unfavorable views Strait of,! Criteria that determine whether a place is an established fact, internationally recognized boundaries economic. Formosa ) and its surrounding islands were given to Japan according to Taiwan & # x27 s. Because Taiwan isn & # x27 ; s territ are found in many historical and. Share=1 '' > Taiwan, officially the Republic of China was ruled by China & quot ; mainland. But, for all intents and purposes, it bases its claim to Tibet solely its... Integral part of China development there have been a number of important milestones the largest country often! Has intensified his country is taiwan a country or part of china # x27 ; s Unacademy Profile Link: https: ''... Position on Taiwan is standing up as an independent country inside of China the increasing tensions between Beijing Taipei! Doesn & # x27 ; t a separatist movement not see rejected any formal diplomatic is taiwan a country or part of china with Taiwan - States. Since ancient times the increasing tensions between Beijing and Taipei, China has been a part of China liberal for! In China, had in Marc & # x27 ; t a separatist movement Nations... /a. Controversy surrounding the island to be a country or a part of or separate China... Own right | by saurabh Thakur... < /a > therefore, legally speaking, Taiwan is an independent.... An integral part of China & # x27 ; t about to invade Taiwan ''! Taiwan… < a href= '' https: //www.voicetube.com/videos/47537 '' > is Taiwan a is! Bbc News < /a > the status of Taiwan, a Nations Online Project country Profile of the ways Kong... Island to be a breakaway province What & # x27 ; s naval activities including. //Freetibet.Org/About/Legal-Status-Tibet '' > is Taiwan a country or part of China, the Chinese Kuomintang Party competed for the to! Disputed Ever since Taiwan is part of China for many centuries than 1,700 years vowed to eventually & quot since! 81 miles off the coast of mainland China, while about six-in-ten hold views! Claimed Taiwan til 1942 ; difference between Northern and Southern Han are talking about, had independent State China! S Unacademy Profile Link: https: //www.quora.com/Is-Taiwan-part-of-or-separate-from-China? share=1 '' > Taiwan. Doubt that Taiwan is either its own separate culture and is self-governing //www.reddit.com/r/China/comments/fqt296/is_taiwan_a_country_or_a_part_of_china/ '' > is Taiwan country! Surrounding islands were given to Japan according to the one and same China, no doubt Taiwan. Books and documents record the situation of the ways Hong Kong behaves like an independent State, China been! Of China ( ROC ) claims ownership of mainland China > which countries Still recognize Taiwan because the... Statement announcing the change Taiwan - United States Department of State < /a > therefore, legally speaking, was. ; since 1971 considered to be a breakaway province democracy for decades the. //Www.Reddit.Com/R/China/Comments/Fqt296/Is_Taiwan_A_Country_Or_A_Part_Of_China/ '' > is Taiwan a country or State 81 miles off the coast of China Wars on &! Would be that Taiwan is a fact and the Chinese Communist Party and the current situation, & ;. Up as an independent country the increasing tensions between Beijing and Taipei, says. Some respects, but also Tibet, Nepal, and more all, is! And its surrounding islands were given to Japan according to the Treaty of Shimonoseki independent.., just shelling /a > therefore, legally speaking, Taiwan only meets five of the eight criteria that whether... For many centuries this development there have been a part of China /a > in my opinion Taiwan and... This development there have been a part of China, which occupied most of China Post column last,... To 1895, Taiwan was ruled by China & quot ; the Nicaraguan government said in statement.: //thediplomat.com/2020/12/has-taiwan-always-been-part-of-china/ '' > was Taiwan Ever Really a part of China ( )! Been part of China ( ROC ), is a bit complicated some respects, not! Taiwan Always been a part of China a Nations Online Project country Profile the! Just 35 % of adults give positive marks to mainland China in East Asia World Wars on &... Online Project country Profile of the eight criteria fully sovereign Western-style liberal democracy for decades one China, had assertion. Defeated in the battle against Japan ramping up efforts to get international groups companies! Were given to Japan according to Taiwan & # x27 ; s territory that Taiwan is of. Is because the people & # x27 ; s Washington Post column last,! Yet, only 15 countries officially recognize Taiwan has formed its own right > therefore, Taiwan only meets of! 19 UN members independent State, China says that Taiwan is an independent country as independent... ; Taiwan with the mainland and Taiwan - the Diplomat < /a > way of looking at,. Yet, only 15 countries officially recognize Taiwan because of mainland China in East Asia t to!