Let's be real here: no one thinks that Taiwan is in any capacity to invade and take China.

The BBC had an interview with Tsai Ing Wen that I think that offers a really good perspective on how Taiwan sees itself on the world stage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9d_S_K5X_k

Taiwan doesn’t fully drop the legal pretence of being China because the /mainland authorities/ would complain. Otherwise, they would do it immediately.

(Compare the CPG’s vetoing of democratisation in Hong Kong prior to in the 50s and 60s.)

the Republic of China in Taiwan is the legitimate government of the country west of Taiwan.