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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 19 December 2024
What is the US position with regard to Taiwan? Due to Taiwan's contested and unrecognized status, and the ambiguities that the US has deliberately cultivated, the answer is not straightforward. The Taiwan issue abounds in complications, such as the subtle difference between the US’ “One-China policy” and the PRC's “One-China principle”. In this chapter we set out the “Taiwan Relations Act”, the “Three Joint Communiques” and “Six Assurances” that have formed the US framework for handling Taiwan and China relations since the 1970s. We also discuss the US’ posture of “strategic ambiguity”, a useful position that has recently come under pressure from within the US. Demystifying these concepts and terminology is fundamental to understanding the US position. In this chapter, we explain the history of the US–Taiwan relationship, how key US–Taiwan policy was formed, and how these policies are used in practice today.
FROM ROC TO PRC: HOW THE UNITED STATES CAME TO NOT RECOGNIZE TAIWAN
During the Chinese Civil War (technically 1945–49, but fought intermittently since the 1920s), the US and most of the western world supported and backed the KMT side against the CCP. Even after the Civil War ended and the KMT fled to Taiwan, the US continued to support the KMT's claim to represent the legitimate government of China. Despite being exiled to Taiwan and possessing no authority over Chinese territory, the ROC on Taiwan was still seen as the “true” China by much of the world. At the United Nations and other international organizations the ROC was recognized as the governing body of China for several decades. The advent of the Korean War in the summer of 1950 sealed the US’ determination to support the ROC and prevent the PLA from invading and taking control of Taiwan. The US provided training for Chiang's Nationalist Army, substantial military aid and technical assistance, and ultimately signed a mutual defence treaty with the ROC in 1954.
In the same period, the PRC underwent dramatic changes. After its founding in 1949, the PRC experienced new levels of state and nation building, but also devastating events like the Great Leap Forward (1958– 60) and the Cultural Revolution (1966–76).
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