Debating Taiwan's Sovereignty: Between Independence and Unification

The discussion on Taiwan's independence centers around historical, political, and legal complexities. While Taiwan operates as a de facto independent nation, China continues to assert its claim over the island. Both the U.S. and Taiwan show cautious stances, with Taiwan maintaining its Republic of China identity amid ongoing tensions.

President Donald Trump expressed optimism on Monday about achieving a fair trade deal with Chinese President Xi Jinping, while sidestepping direct discussions on Taiwan's independence. He suggested that while various issues might be on the table, Taiwan wasn't immediately up for discussion.

The historical and international standing of Taiwan has long been contentious. Known as Formosa, the island was pegged as part of Fujian province by the Qing dynasty in 1684, becoming a Japanese colony in 1895. Taiwan later became a holdout of the Republic of China after 1949 when Mao Zedong established the People's Republic of China. The international community has had to grapple with Taiwan's standings, notably after Taipei lost its U.N. seat to Beijing in 1971. Although only a few countries officially recognize Taiwan, it maintains strong unofficial ties with the West.

The U.S. has maintained a delicate stance since severing official ties in 1979, providing Taiwan with defense means under its One China policy. Taiwan claims de facto independence, electing its leaders and controlling its own territory, while China retains its claim of sovereignty. The balance remains tense with Beijing's Anti-Secession Law threatening military action if Taiwan formalizes independence.

(With inputs from agencies.)