State of Asia — it’s holding area back, washed-out (6)
I believe the answer is:
taiwan
'state of asia' is the definition.
'taiwan' can be an answer for 'state' (I've seen this before). I'm unsure of the 'of asia' bit.
'it's holding area back washed-out' is the wordplay.
'holding' is an insertion indicator.
'area' becomes 'a' (maths abbreviation).
'back' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'washed out' becomes 'wan' (I've seen this in another clue).
'it' placed around 'a' is 'iat'.
'iat' back-to-front is 'tai'.
'tai'+'wan'='TAIWAN'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for taiwan that I've seen before include "Disputed island off china, used to be Formosa" , "SE Asian island" , "China Sea island, strait" , "Large island off China" , "I want a turn on this island" .)