Patrick C.

Agonias AB CDA, LJL3

05/28/12 PHIFOCY

WHAT IS THE ONE CHINA POLICY?

The One China policy is part of USs foreign policy regarding the question of the recognition of Taiwan as a state since two Chinas exist. The first is the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) which is based in the mainland, Beijing. The other one is the Republic of China (ROC) which is based in Taipei, Taiwan. The policy covers the sovereignty over Taiwan; PRC use of force or coercion against Taiwan; and the cross-strait dialogue. The PRC or Beijing is the one officially recognized with sovereign status and the legitimate government and not Taiwan, being only a part of China. The United States have recognized and maintained diplomatic relations to ROC until the end of 1978 and even an official non-diplomatic relationship even after the recognition of the PRC in 1979. In addition the US did not explicitly state the sovereign status of Taiwan during the USPRC Joint Communiqus of 1972. The US endorsement did not specify which government was legitimate. However, since 1971, US President both publicly and secretly articulated a One China policy more line with the one Beijing. The US policy still leaves the status of Taiwan as unsettled. The Taiwan question leaves it to be resolved by the people on both sides of the strait: a peaceful resolution with the assent of Taiwans people and without unilateral changes. In summary the USs policy focuses on the process of resolution of the Taiwan question, and not any set outcome. In 1978 President Jimmy Carter formally recognizes Beijing as the sole government of China and closed its embassies in Taiwan in 1979. In the same year The Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) was passed in the US Congress which officially breaks of relations with Taipei. Within, it stipulates that the future of Taiwan will be determined by peaceful means. Among the stipulations is that it considers any non-peaceful means to determine Taiwans future or reunification as a threat to the peace and security of the Western Pacific and of grave concern to the US. The Act also provides Taiwan with arms of a defensive character in order to resist any resort to force or other forms of coercion. Secondly the TRA provides a congressional role in determining security assistance to Taiwan. In 1982 President Reagan also offered Six Assurances to Taipei partly covering arms sale.

Up to this day the One China policy is being debated by both sides of the Strait and tensions are still present between Beijing and Taipei. Nevertheless both have established economic and cultural ties but not politically.

REFRENCES:
Kan, S. A. (2011). China/Taiwan: Evolution of the One China PolicyKey Statements from Washington, Beijing, and Taipei. Washington: Congressional Research Service. Slate Magazine . (2012). What Is the One-China Policy? Retrieved May 29, 2012, from Slate Magazine : http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2000/05/what_is_the_onechina_p olicy.html