someone could come up with a meaningful definition of a country that would exclude Taiwan, but include all other countries
The classical definition of sovereignty doesn’t apply to Taiwan, no matter how you slice it. They’re not a country in the same way that Palestine and Hawaii and Quebec and Crimea aren’t countries.
Ah yes, the comparable states of Hawaii, Quebec and Crimea which famously issue their own passports, have their own heads of state, pass their own laws and are not subject to the laws of parent states. At least Palestine is a closer example but Palestinian statehood is in the best case for your argument debatable and that’s being very generous.
It seems like you’re either trolling as I suspected from your first comment or you’ve wandered much to far from your safe space where people might actually believe that nonsense. If you want to cast doubt on Taiwan’s sovereignty I suggest you stick to the classic talking points from the CCP which are also wrong but at least there’s actually something to get into there rather than just clumsy analogies that don’t hold up until the faintest scrutiny.
Ah yes, the comparable states of Hawaii, Quebec and Crimea which famously issue their own passports, have their own heads of state, pass their own laws and are not subject to the laws of parent states.
Each of these regions has its own governor and its own municipal laws.
Taiwanese residents who regularly travel to China carry a distinct Chinese passport precisely because the Taiwanese passport isn’t recognized. In fact the Taiwanese passport is notorious for how many problems it causes with international travel.
And thanks to the US defense pact, Taiwan is heavily beholden to US sanctions, trade restrictions, and travel embargoes. Taiwan isn’t independent, it is occupied territory. Much the same way as Crimea is occupied by Russia.
you’ve wandered much to far from your safe space
Its always fun to see people encounter some facts they haven’t seen before and conclude “These facts have simply been misplaced! I’m not supposed to be hearing them. They belong in somewhere else.”
Do I really need to explain how state laws vs federal laws work to you? I refused to believe you’re that stupid. Taiwan makes it’s own laws and is not beholden to obey the laws of a parent state. You’re simply lying again.
The Taiwanese passport is fine for international travel, ranking 35 vs China’s 68 so by this logic I guess China is also not a country. Again you’re simply lying. Maybe you’re used to people just accepting things but unfortunately that doesn’t hold up to even the slightest scrutiny as with your other ‘facts’.
What does trade and embargos have to do with anything unless you’re also asserting that the vast majority of countries in the west are also not countries. This is just embarrassing. Again, I suggest sticking to CCP talking points because you don’t seem able to defend your position on your own.
