Is Taiwan Its Own Country? Is Taiwan An Independent Country? Does The U.S. Recognize Taiwan?

Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is a country in East Asia.

The current Tsai Ing-wen administration of the Republic of China maintains that Taiwan is already an independent country as the ROC and thus does not have to push for any sort of formal independence.

As of 2021, Taiwan was not regarded as a country. Taiwan, located between two much larger and at times imperialistic countries (China and Japan), has alternated from nation to territory to nation and back again throughout its history.

Most recently, Taiwan was considered a country from 1949 to 1971, and while it is not currently treated as such, it would be if not for a particularly prickly political situation.

The thing to remember is that a vital part of becoming a country is to be diplomatically recognized by the 193 “member states” (i.e.: countries) of the United Nations.

Does The U.S. Recognize Taiwan?
The United States maintained Taiwan’s recognition for 30 years after the Chinese civil war but switched in 1979.

Despite this, the U.S. has maintained a positive relationship with Taiwan, including offering the island military assistance, a move that has caused tension between the U.S. and China.