Final answer:
China's "One China" policy includes Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and Tibet as part of its sovereign territory. Despite differing levels of autonomy and international relationships, China insists on the recognition of these regions as parts of the single Chinese state. This policy is central to China's diplomatic relations and regional dynamics.
Step-by-step explanation:
China's "One China" policy asserts that there is only one sovereign state under the name China. Under this principle, China includes the mainland territories, with its majority Han Chinese population, as well as several minority regions and some additional significant areas.
Specifically, China considers Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and Tibet to be integral parts of its territory, despite varying degrees of autonomy and international regard.
Taiwan, for instance, operates like an independent country, has its own democratic government, and maintains informal international relationships, such as de facto embassies. However, China views Taiwan as a breakaway province and requires other countries to recognize Taiwanese territory as part of China in order to maintain diplomatic relations.
The special administrative regions (SARs) of Hong Kong and Macau, despite having significant autonomy after being former European colonies, are officially part of China under the "One Country, Two Systems" principle.
Tibet, with a distinct cultural and religious identity, was incorporated into the People's Republic of China in 1951 and is now designated as the Tibet Autonomous Region, although the extent of actual autonomy is widely debated.