Taiwan's status: de facto independence vs. China's claims

The island's formal name is the Republic of China. Historically, Taiwan was incorporated into China's Fujian province in 1684 and later became a Japanese colony in 1895. After World War Two, it was handed over to the Republic of China government. In 1949, following its defeat by Mao Zedong's Communist forces, the Republic of China government relocated its capital to Taiwan.

While the Republic of China in Taipei once claimed to be the legitimate government of all of China, Beijing took over China's seat at the United Nations in 1971. Most major Western countries and U.S. allies maintain unofficial ties with Taiwan, recognizing its passport and operating de facto embassies.

China has offered Taiwan a "one country, two systems" model, similar to Hong Kong's arrangement, but no major political party in Taiwan supports this proposal. Beijing has repeatedly demanded that the U.S. end arms sales to Taiwan.

The United States severed official ties with Taipei in favor of Beijing in 1979 but remains bound by the Taiwan Relations Act to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself. Washington officially takes no position on Taiwan's sovereignty under its "One China" policy. In May, then-President Donald Trump indicated he was still considering new weapons sales to Taiwan.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, whom China detests and calls a "separatist," maintains that Taiwan is already an independent country, a sentiment he expressed before his election. Declaring a formal "Republic of Taiwan" would be a complex process, requiring parliamentary approval of a constitutional amendment and a subsequent referendum.