Have I ever written about the time I almost got deported and banned from China? I don’t think I have—allow me to give you the “Reader’s Digest” version here.
It was 2009, and I was living in Shanghai as an English teacher. I don’t remember the lesson I was giving, but I made the decision (the mistake, it turns out) to differentiate between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of China. I specifically wanted to know the capital of the latter.
“Beijing!” The classroom screamed in unison. Not a single student—and these were adults, mind you—said “Taipei,”
I got neither deported nor banned; I even manager to keep my job. But on one condition: My agreement, if ever again asked “is Taiwan a country?”, to answer in the negative.
Why Taiwan’s Legal Status is So Controversial
Looking back, I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised that many people who live on the mainland consider Taiwan part of China. What surprised me, however, was how darn both my boss (who was South African) and my company (which was Swedish) came down on me. This reflects just how little tolerance China has for any position other than its official one: That Taiwan is a renegade province; and a reunion (by force, if necessary) is inevitable.
This seems silly now, of course, during the Xi era. Back when I lived there, the relatively moderate Hu Jintao was in power. The Beijing Olympics had just happened, and it appeared that greater cooperation with the west was inevitable. The so-called “Three Ts”—Tibet, Tiananmen, Taiwan—were officially off-limits, but it’s only now that I see why they’re so central to the world view China compels all its citizens to have.
5 Reasons Taiwan Isn’t Part of China
It’s a democracy
Taiwan not only has its own government, but it’s a democratically-elected one. Whether in quadrennial presidential elections or local by-elections that happen throughout every year, Taiwanese are some of the most politically engaged people in the world. Contrast this with mainland China, where citizens can’t even vote and Hong Kong, where they lost suffrage (even in local elections) the moment they acquiesced to China’s demands.
It has its own immigration system, currency and military
Another reason Taiwan is an independent country? You need to go through border controls to travel there, even if you are coming from mainland China. You’ll then convert your currency into New Taiwanese dollars, or withdraw $NT from an ATM. All the while, you’re protected by the Taiwanese military, a fighting force entirely separate from China’s—and, arguably, superior in skill.
The Taiwanese economy is vibrant—and mostly divested from China
As the Democratic Progressive Party (also known as the DDP, or the Green Party) has gained power in Taiwan over the past decade, it hasn’t just shifted the conversation about China. Rather, it’s led Taiwanese businesses and individuals divest from China, going from almost 90% 20 years ago to just over 10% today. At the same time, the Taiwanese economy has seen some of the most robust growth economic among developed Asian countries.
Taiwanese people aren’t Chinese citizens
And Chinese people aren’t Taiwanese citizens. Is Taiwan independent? I don’t know any other non-independent territory where citizens of the country that controls it are not also citizens of that territory. If Taiwan were truly just a province of China, Taiwanese citizens wouldn’t need passports (their own passports, no less) in order to enter China. They wouldn’t need to “enter” China at all!
Countries don’t need to invade their own provinces
To be sure, the talk of a Chinese “invasion” itself is a sort of invalidation of China’s territorial claims to Taiwan. Why would China need to invade a place that already belongs to it? Moreover, even if you assume that Taiwan is a breakaway province, why would they want to break away from China, if life in China is so great? It all just wreaks of insecurity and desperation on the part of the CCP.
Will China Attempt to Re-take Taiwan by Force?
In case it isn’t evident by reading this website, I am not a geopolitical expert. However, I am someone who has both lived in Taiwan and observe developments in the country and region for many years. My take is that Taiwan would probably be much harder to take than China is expecting, and that the Chinese military would probably be less formidable than their size would suggest. Such a mission might eventually be successful, but might not be worth it.
Now, certain factors could change this, one way or another. If the ruling DPP stays in power and were to make an outright declaration of Taiwan independence, this could invite China’s aggression and increase the likelihood of a military strike. If, on the other hand, the pro-China KMT gets back into power, the pro-Chinese influence it would have over years and decades may make an invasion less attraction—and, indeed, less necessary.
Other FAQ About the Legal Status of Taiwan
Is Taiwan an independent country?
Although only a few countries in the world officially recognize the independence of Taiwan, its status as a sovereign nation is self-evident. Taiwan has its own currency, border controls, outlying territory and military, and its own democratically-elected government separate from the authoritarian regime in mainland China.
Does the US recognize Taiwan as a country?
The US does not officially recognize Taiwan as a country, and publicly parrots China’s “One China” policy. However, most American citizens understand that Taiwan is sovereign if not wholly independent; the pro-Taiwan actions of the US government speak louder than its pro-China words.
Are Taiwanese citizens of China?
Taiwanese and not citizens of China, nor are Chinese citizens of Taiwan. Citizens of both countries require visas to visit the others, even as tourists, which just hammers home the fact that Taiwan is an independent country. Imagine if Americans needed a visa to go to Hawaii, or Australians needed a visa for Tasmania?
The Bottom Line
Is Taiwan a country? Of course it is. What other place on earth has its own government, military, currency and borders, but in spite of this remains a province or territory of another nation? Even if you ignore these tangible realities, exploring destinations in Taiwan reveals a place that is fundamentally different to the mainland, with the possible exception of adjacent Fujian province. China and its sympathizers fear the day Taiwan declares independence, but they’re misguided: No one needs to declare something that is self-evident. Some travelers do, however, need extra help planning their trips to Taiwan. Hire me to round your Taiwan itinerary out.
