When Did China Gain Independence?

At the time the People's Republic of China was declared, the Japanese were driven out of parts of the country they occupied. Two other important dates are associated with Chinese independence, according to the CIA World Fact Book. The 221 B.C.E. era marks the year in which all of China was unified under the Qin Dynasty, and January 1, 1912, is the date on which the Qing Dynasty was replaced by the Republic of China.