Question

This part of China used to be an independent country that had even once been an empire itself.

Taiwan
Hunan
Tibet
Macau

Answer 1

A. Taiwan.

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

Tibet

Step-by-step explanation:

Between 1911 and 1951 Tibet WAS free of the paramountcy of the Republic of China and functioned as a de facto independent entity. However it did not receive the de jure international recognition of a legal status separate from China. Today's Tibet is internationally recognized as part of China. Tibet WAS independent but now is not, Taiwan answer is reasonable but was AND IS, it is asking the country THAT WAS