U.S.-China Relations and Taiwan: Key Historical Parallels

Resolution and U.N. Membership

In the mid-20th century, the People's Republic of China (PRC) began to displace the Republic of China (ROC) in discussions regarding China's representation in the United Nations. Despite opposition from some countries, the PRC representatives took over roles in both the General Assembly and the Security Council, fully assuming the rights and obligations of China as a U.N. member state.

U.S.-PRC Joint Communiqués

Two pivotal communiqués emerged from this period: the 1972 Shanghai Communiqué and the 1978 Normalization Communiqué, which were significant in shaping U.S.-PRC relations and encapsulating the U.S. one-China policy. The Shanghai Communiqué acknowledged that there is one China, which includes Taiwan, and reassured a commitment to resolving the Taiwan question peacefully. It also laid the groundwork for the withdrawal of U.S. military forces from Taiwan.

Conversely, the 1978 Normalization Communiqué marked the establishment of official diplomatic relations between the U.S. and the PRC. In this communique, the U.S. recognized the PRC as the sole legal government of China while preserving the right for American cultural and unofficial relations with Taiwan. This recognition was done while maintaining a neutral stance on Taiwan's sovereignty.

The Taiwan Relations Act (1979)

Following the formal break in ties with the ROC, the U.S. enacted the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), which established a framework for unofficial relations with Taiwan, intending to ensure its security. The TRA stipulates that the U.S. will provide defensive articles to Taiwan, ensuring its self-defense capability, and reinforces U.S. policy to resist coercive actions threatening the security of Taiwan’s people.

In corresponding developments, the U.S. established unofficial relations through the American Institute in Taiwan, solidifying economic and cultural bonds without formal diplomatic ties.

1982 U.S.-PRC Joint Communiqué and Six Assurances

During discussions to normalize relations, the U.S. and PRC addressed the contentious topic of arms sales to Taiwan in the 1982 August 17 Communiqué. The U.S. committed to a policy of “no long-term arms sales” while expressing an understanding of PRC's goal for peaceful reunification. This issued context allowed President Reagan to convey the Six Assurances to Taiwan, clarifying U.S. positions on arms sales and Taiwan's sovereignty, asserting no consultation with PRC was required on U.S. arms policy toward Taiwan.

Current Policies under the Biden Administration

As of the Biden administration, the U.S. continues to uphold the one-China policy, maintaining unofficial relations with Taiwan while reiterating its commitment under the TRA. U.S. policy does not support Taiwan independence and opposes unilateral shifts in the cross-Strait status quo, affirming the need for U.S. support in Taiwan's self-defense.

The relationship, however, remains fraught with tension, as the PRC views any U.S. interactions with Taiwan officials as violations of their agreed norms, and the persistent PRC military activities around Taiwan pose challenges to the prefaced peaceful resolution.

Taiwan retains its designation as the ROC under President Tsai Ing-wen, who advocates for Taiwan's standing on the global stage against PRC’s assertive claims, framing sovereignty as a non-negotiable issue.