What Is 'Taiwan Independence' and Is Taiwan Already Independent?

Chinese President Xi Jinping urged the US to oppose Taiwan independence during a call with President Donald Trump, reiterating Beijing's firm stance on reunification. The exchange highlights ongoing tensions over the island's status. Taiwan, formally the Republic of China, has been self-governed since 1949 when the Nationalist government fled there after losing China's civil war. Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has offered a "one country, two systems" model, which no major Taiwanese party supports. The US maintains unofficial ties with Taiwan under its One China policy and is legally bound to help the island defend itself, though it takes no position on sovereignty. Taiwan operates with de facto independence, electing its own leaders and maintaining its own military, passport, and currency, but formal independence would require a difficult constitutional amendment and referendum.