Fact Check: Taiwan is a country

Fact Check: "Taiwan is a country"

What We Know

The status of Taiwan is a complex and contentious issue in international relations. Officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), Taiwan operates as a self-governing entity with its own government, military, and constitution. However, its recognition as a sovereign state is limited. According to the Taiwan Statehood article, Taiwan meets the criteria for statehood as outlined in the 1936 Montevideo Convention, which includes having a permanent population, defined territory, a government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states. However, the article also notes that Taiwan's status is complicated by the lack of widespread international recognition, primarily due to the People's Republic of China's (PRC) claim over Taiwan and its pressure on other nations to adhere to the "One China" policy.

As of April 2024, only a dozen countries officially recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state, while the majority of the international community recognizes the PRC as the legitimate government of China (Taiwan's Position in the World). This limited recognition impacts Taiwan's ability to participate in international organizations, including the United Nations, where it was replaced by the PRC in 1971 (Political status of Taiwan).

Analysis

The claim that "Taiwan is a country" can be evaluated through two lenses: declarative and constitutive theories of statehood. The declarative theory suggests that a state exists if it meets specific criteria, regardless of recognition by other states. In this sense, Taiwan can be considered a country since it has a functioning government and operates independently. However, the constitutive theory posits that statehood requires recognition by other states, which Taiwan lacks on a significant scale.

The Political status of Taiwan article emphasizes that Taiwan's sovereignty is disputed, with the PRC asserting that Taiwan is a breakaway province. This geopolitical context complicates Taiwan's claim to statehood. The International status of Taiwan report further elaborates on how Taiwan's international status is often described as "a country within a country," reflecting its unique position as a self-governing entity that is not universally recognized.

While some sources argue that Taiwan's self-governance and democratic institutions qualify it as a country, others highlight the importance of international recognition and the implications of the PRC's territorial claims. The credibility of sources discussing Taiwan's status varies, with academic and governmental reports generally providing more reliable information compared to opinion pieces or less formal publications.

Conclusion

The claim that "Taiwan is a country" is Partially True. While Taiwan operates as a self-governing entity with many characteristics of a sovereign state, its lack of widespread international recognition and the ongoing claims by the PRC complicate its status. Therefore, it can be considered a country in a functional sense, but not fully recognized as such in the international arena.