Is Taiwan About To Declare Independence? Not Exactly | Opinion

In May, Taiwan will inaugurate a new president. Current vice president Lai Ching-te’s victory in the January election met with strong approval in Washington, but many harbor concerns about the president-elect’s history of pro-independence rhetoric. While Taiwan functions as a sovereign entity separate from mainland China, its legal status is unsettled. Beijing claims the island as part of its territory and has repeatedly threatened to respond to any formal declaration of independence with military force, a scenario that could quickly spiral into a broader U.S.-China conflict. Avoiding this outcome should be a top priority for American policymakers. Concerns about Lai’s…