Underlying Strains in Taiwan-U.S. Political Relations (CRS Report for Congress)
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| Release Date |
Revised Aug. 1, 2007 |
| Report Number |
RL33684 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Kerry Dumbaugh, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Summary:
The status of Taiwan is a key issue for U.S. foreign policy and a critical point of contention in U.S. relations with China, which claims sovereignty over Taiwan. The U.S. policy framework for Taiwan was laid down in 1979 when Washington severed official relations with the Republic of China (ROC) on Taiwan and instead recognized the People's Republic of China (PRC) as the legitimate Chinese government. The basics of that policy shift-the Taiwan Relations Act, the 3 U.S.-China communiques, and the so-called 'six assurances' toward Taiwan-remain in place today. But many other factors have changed dramatically. The PRC itself is a rising global economic power scarcely resembling the country it was at the Nixon opening in the 1970's. U.S. economic and political relations with the PRC have expanded and become more diverse, playing a more complex role now than they did then in U.S. calculations of its own interests. China's military has grown as well, with much of its strategic planning focusing on a Taiwan contingency that may lead to conflict with U.S. military forces. Taiwan, once an authoritarian one-party government under martial law, has become a fully functioning democracy. In Taiwan's 2000 presidential election, Chen Shui-bian's upset of the long dominant ruling party in a true democratic contest was a resounding validation of U.S. ideals and hopes for global democratic development. But other aspects of the new government's pro-independence views conflict with U.S. policies that support the 'status quo' in the Taiwan Strait and are unwilling to support Taiwan independence.
