Prof. ST Hsieh
Director, US-China Energy Industry Forum
626-376-7460
January 23, 2024
A major challenge for stabilizing the US-China relation is the definition or meaning of the One-China Policy. The One-China Policy is openly quoted by almost every nation in the world dealing with the People’s Republic of China (PRC). But interpretation of the One-China Policy is not definite or unique and that causes major global issues.
Of course, the phrase was framed in 1972, after more than 52 years later, the world has changed. The relative national strength between the US and China have also changed drastically. Now China is viewed by the US as the “existential threat” because China’s economy is only second to the US. A net result is that the Taiwan strait and south China Sea become the most dangerous area for global politics. The root cause of the problem is the ambiguity of the One-China policy is being dangerously clarified by words or actions by both the US and China.
China is concerned that under the US version of One-China policy, Taiwan is quickly drifting away. Thus, China demands a clean Chinese version of the One-China policy or position such as the Philippine President Marcos had to speak out:
“The One-China policy remains in place. We have adhered to the One-China policy strictly and conscientiously since we adopted (it),” Marcos said.
“We are not endorsing Taiwanese independence. Taiwan is a province of China.”
On the other hand, the US is aggressively holding her version of the One-China Policy, Congressional delegations keep visiting Taiwan:
“The aim of the trip is to reaffirm U.S. support for Taiwan following their successful democratic elections, express solidarity in their shared commitment to democratic values, and explore opportunities to further strengthen the robust economic and defense relationship between the United States and Taiwan,” the statement said.
But the fact remains that no people in the region are seriously committed to any warfare. They are smarter than the Ukrainians, specifically no one would engage in any proxy war.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
The term One China may refer, in alphabetical order, to one of the following:
- The One China policy refers to a United States policy of strategic ambiguity regarding Taiwan. In a 1972 joint communiqué with the PRC, the United States “acknowledges that all Chinese on either side of the Taiwan Strait maintain there is but one China and that Taiwan is a part of China” and “does not challenge that position.” It reaffirms the U.S. interest in a peaceful settlement of the Taiwan question. The United States has formal relations with the PRC, recognizes the PRC as the sole legal government of China, and simultaneously maintains its unofficial relations with Taiwan while taking no official position on Taiwanese sovereignty. The US “acknowledges” but does not “endorse” PRC’s position over Taiwan, implying it neither supports nor rejects China’s sovereignty over Taiwan, and has considered Taiwan’s political status as “undetermined”.
- Internationally, it may also refer to the stance of numerous other countries. For instance, Australia’s 1972 Joint Communiqué with the PRC recognised the Government of the PRC as China’s sole legal government, and acknowledged the position of the PRC that Taiwan was a province of the PRC”, but “neither supports nor opposes the PRC position” on the matter. While some countries, such as the UK, Canada, Australia, and Japan like the U.S. acknowledge but do not recognise the PRC’s claim, the communiqués of some others, including Israel, Panama, and the Gambia, concurs with the PRC’s interpretation.
Philippines Marcos says does not endorse Taiwan independence, seeks to avoid conflict
MANILA, Jan 23 (Reuters) – Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said he does not endorse Taiwan independence and reiterated his country was committed to its One-China policy, a response to China’s outrage over recent remarks in congratulating Taiwan’s election winner.
Marcos said in an interview with GMA News TV aired on Tuesday that his congratulatory comment to Lai Ching-te earlier this month, where he referred to him as president, was a “common courtesy”.
“The One-China policy remains in place. We have adhered to the One-China policy strictly and conscientiously since we adopted (it),” Marcos said.
“We are not endorsing Taiwanese independence. Taiwan is a province of China.”
The congratulatory message, however, drew a sharp rebuke, opens new tab from China, with its foreign ministry spokesperson telling Marcos last week to “read more books to properly understand the ins and outs of the Taiwan issue”.
Marcos in the interview added he was for peace and “does not want conflict” in the region.
The Philippines and China have been at loggerheads this past year, coinciding with Marcos making overtures to defence ally the United States, including widening base access to the U.S. military.
China has seen that as a provocation and part of a challenge by Washington to its Taiwan policy.
US congressional delegation makes first trip to Taiwan after island’s presidential election
BY CHRISTOPHER BODEEN
Updated 6:23 PM PST, January 23, 2024
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — The co-chairs of the U.S. Congressional Taiwan Caucus on Wednesday opened the first trip by U.S. lawmakers to the island where the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party won a third straight term in presidential elections this month.
U.S. Reps. Ami Bera, a Democrat from California, and Florida Republican Mario Díaz-Balart plan to “engage with senior officials and business leaders,” Bera’s office said in a statement, without naming those with whom they would meet.
“The aim of the trip is to reaffirm U.S. support for Taiwan following their successful democratic elections, express solidarity in their shared commitment to democratic values, and explore opportunities to further strengthen the robust economic and defense relationship between the United States and Taiwan,” the statement said.
Beijing objects to any form of official contact between the U.S. and Taiwan and responded to a 2022 visit by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi with some of its largest military maneuvers in years, including missile launches and a simulated blockade of the island. It views visits by foreign government officials as them recognizing the island’s sovereignty.
President Joe Biden has sought to calm that complaint, insisting there’s no change in America’s longstanding “one-China policy,” which recognizes Beijing but allows informal relations and defense ties with Taipei.
Washington cut formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1979 in order to recognize China, but U.S. law requires it to ensure the island has the means to defend itself and to treat all outside threats as a matter of grave concern.