China/Taiwan

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Publisher : DIANE Publishing
ISBN 13 : 1437988083
Total Pages : 86 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (379 download)

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Book Synopsis China/Taiwan by : Shirley A. Kan

Download or read book China/Taiwan written by Shirley A. Kan and published by DIANE Publishing. This book was released on 2011 with total page 86 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Despite apparently consistent statements in 4 decades, the U.S. ¿one China¿ policy concerning Taiwan remains somewhat ambiguous and subject to different interpretations. Apart from questions about what the ¿one China¿ policy entails, issues have arisen about whether U.S. Presidents have stated clear positions and have changed or should change policy, affecting U.S. interests in security and democracy. Contents of this report: (1) U.S. Policy on ¿One China¿: Has U.S. Policy Changed?; Overview of Policy Issues; (2) Highlights of Key Statements by Washington, Beijing, and Taipei: Statements During the Admin. of Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Clinton, George W. Bush, Clinton, and Obama. A print on demand report.

The United States, China, and Taiwan

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Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9781640524002
Total Pages : pages
Book Rating : 4.5/5 (24 download)

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Book Synopsis The United States, China, and Taiwan by : Robert Blackwill

Download or read book The United States, China, and Taiwan written by Robert Blackwill and published by . This book was released on 2021-02-11 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

China/Taiwan

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Author :
Publisher : CreateSpace
ISBN 13 : 9781502841865
Total Pages : 90 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (418 download)

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Book Synopsis China/Taiwan by : Congressional Research Service

Download or read book China/Taiwan written by Congressional Research Service and published by CreateSpace. This book was released on 2014-10-10 with total page 90 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Despite broadly consistent statements, the U.S. “one China” policy concerning Taiwan remains somewhat ambiguous and subject to different interpretations. Apart from questions about what the policy entails, issues have arisen about whether U.S. Presidents have stated clear positions and have changed or should change policy, affecting U.S. interests in security and democracy. This CRS Report, updated through the 113th Congress, analyzes the “one China” policy since U.S. Presidents began in 1971 to reach understandings with the People's Republic of China (PRC). Taiwan calls itself the Republic of China (ROC) and does not recognize the PRC. There are three sets of issues: sovereignty over Taiwan; PRC use of force or coercion against Taiwan; and cross-strait dialogue. The United States recognized the ROC until the end of 1978 and has maintained non-diplomatic engagement with Taiwan after recognition of the PRC in 1979. The State Department claims an “unofficial” relationship with Taiwan. The United States did not explicitly state Taiwan's status in the U.S.-PRC Joint Communiques of 1972, 1979, and 1982. The United States “acknowledged” the “one China” position of both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Since 1971, U.S. Presidents—both secretly and publicly—have articulated a “one China” policy in understandings with the PRC. Congressional oversight has watched for any new agreements and any shift in the U.S. stance closer to that of Beijing's “one China” principle—on questions of sovereignty, arms sales, or dialogue. Not recognizing the PRC's claim over Taiwan or Taiwan as a sovereign state, U.S. policy has considered Taiwan's status as unsettled. With added conditions, U.S. policy leaves the Taiwan question to be resolved by the people on both sides of the strait: a “peaceful resolution” with the assent of Taiwan's people and without unilateral changes. In short, U.S. policy focuses on the process of resolution of the Taiwan question, not any set outcome. The Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) of 1979, P.L. 96-8, has governed U.S. policy in the absence of a diplomatic relationship or a defense treaty. The TRA stipulates the expectation that the future of Taiwan “will be determined” by peaceful means. The TRA specifies that it is U.S. policy, among the stipulations: to consider any non-peaceful means to determine Taiwan's future “a threat” to the peace and security of the Western Pacific and of “grave concern” to the United States; “to provide Taiwan with arms of a defensive character;” and “to maintain the capacity of the United States to resist any resort to force or other forms of coercion” jeopardizing the security, or social or economic system of Taiwan's people. The TRA provides a congressional role in determining security assistance “necessary to enable Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability.” President Reagan also offered “Six Assurances” to Taipei in 1982, partly to continue arms sales. Policy makers have continued to face unresolved issues, while the political and strategic context of the policy has changed dramatically since the 1970s. Since the early 1990s, U.S. interests in the military balance as well as Taiwan's security and democracy have been challenged by the PRC's military buildup (particularly in missiles) and potential coercion, moves perceived by Beijing for Taiwan's de jure independence under the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP's) president (2000-2008), and resistance in Taiwan by the Kuomintang (KMT) party to investing in self-defense. After the KMT's Ma Ying-jeou became President in May 2008, Taipei and Beijing reduced tension and resumed talks—beyond seeking detente. With President Obama since 2009, a rhetorical convergence emerged about “peaceful development” of cross-strait ties.

The U.S.-Taiwan-China Relationship in International Law and Policy

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Author :
Publisher : Oxford University Press
ISBN 13 : 0190601124
Total Pages : 441 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (96 download)

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Book Synopsis The U.S.-Taiwan-China Relationship in International Law and Policy by : Lung-chu Chen

Download or read book The U.S.-Taiwan-China Relationship in International Law and Policy written by Lung-chu Chen and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2016 with total page 441 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This volume describes the central issues animating the dynamic U.S.-Taiwan-China relationship and the salient international and domestic legal issues shaping U.S. policy in the Asia Pacific region. Lung-Chu Chen gives particular attention Taiwan's status under international law and the role of the U.S. Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) in the formulation and execution of U.S. policy toward Taiwan.

Taiwan and China

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Publisher : Univ of California Press
ISBN 13 : 0520295986
Total Pages : 320 pages
Book Rating : 4.5/5 (22 download)

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Book Synopsis Taiwan and China by : Lowell Dittmer

Download or read book Taiwan and China written by Lowell Dittmer and published by Univ of California Press. This book was released on 2017-09-26 with total page 320 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: At publication date, a free ebook version of this title will be available through Luminos, University of California Press’s Open Access publishing program. Visit www.luminosoa.org to learn more. China’s relation to Taiwan has been in constant contention since the founding of the People’s Republic of China in October 1949 and the creation of the defeated Kuomintang (KMT) exile regime on the island two months later. The island’s autonomous sovereignty has continually been challenged, initially because of the KMT’s insistence that it continue to represent not just Taiwan but all of China—and later because Taiwan refused to cede sovereignty to the then-dominant power that had arisen on the other side of the Taiwan Strait. One thing that makes Taiwan so politically difficult and yet so intellectually fascinating is that it ­­is not merely a security problem, but a ganglion of interrelated puzzles. The optimistic hope of the Ma Ying-jeou administration for a new era of peace and cooperation foundered on a landslide victory by the Democratic Progressive Party, which has made clear its intent to distance Taiwan from China’s political embrace. The Taiwanese are now waiting with bated breath as the relationship tautens. Why did détente fail, and what chance does Taiwan have without it? Contributors to this volume focus on three aspects of the evolving quandary: nationalistic identity, social economy, and political strategy.

The Future of United States, China, and Taiwan Relations

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Publisher : Springer
ISBN 13 : 0230118968
Total Pages : 376 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (31 download)

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Book Synopsis The Future of United States, China, and Taiwan Relations by : C. Lin

Download or read book The Future of United States, China, and Taiwan Relations written by C. Lin and published by Springer. This book was released on 2011-05-09 with total page 376 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Relations across the Taiwan Strait were unstable for decades before May 2008. Several acknowledged "crises" raised the possibility of war between China and the US and/or Taiwan and at times political disputes wracked the US-Taiwan relationship. Nevertheless, the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) of 1979 helped maintain peace by deterring coercive actions by China against the island.

Hong Kong in the Shadow of China

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Publisher : Brookings Institution Press
ISBN 13 : 081572814X
Total Pages : 395 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (157 download)

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Book Synopsis Hong Kong in the Shadow of China by : Richard C. Bush

Download or read book Hong Kong in the Shadow of China written by Richard C. Bush and published by Brookings Institution Press. This book was released on 2016-10-11 with total page 395 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A close-up look at the struggle for democracy in Hong Kong. Hong Kong in the Shadow of China is a reflection on the recent political turmoil in Hong Kong during which the Chinese government insisted on gradual movement toward electoral democracy and hundreds of thousands of protesters occupied major thoroughfares to push for full democracy now. Fueling this struggle is deep public resentment over growing inequality and how the political system—established by China and dominated by the local business community—reinforces the divide been those who have profited immensely and those who struggle for basics such as housing. Richard Bush, director of the Brookings Institution’s Center on East Asia Policy Studies, takes us inside the demonstrations and the demands of the demonstrators and then pulls back to critically explore what Hong Kong and China must do to ensure both economic competitiveness and good governance and the implications of Hong Kong developments for United States policy.

Taiwan-U.S. Relations

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Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 0 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (264 download)

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Book Synopsis Taiwan-U.S. Relations by : Kerry Dumbaugh

Download or read book Taiwan-U.S. Relations written by Kerry Dumbaugh and published by . This book was released on 2008 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Policy toward and support for Taiwan are a key element in U.S.- relations with the People's Republic of China (PRC) and an important component of U.S. policy in Asia. Official U.S. relations with the Republic of China (ROC) government on Taiwan became a casualty of the U.S. decision to recognize the PRC government as China's sole legitimate government. Since then, unofficial U.S. relations with Taiwan have been built on the framework of the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act (TRA - P.L. 96-8) and shaped by three U.S.-PRC communiques. Under these, the United States maintains official relations with the PRC, but continues to have unique and critical interests in Taiwan, including significant commercial ties, objections to PRC threats to use force against Taiwan, arms sales and security assurances, and support for Taiwan's democratic development. U.S. policy today remains rooted in a general notion of maintaining the "status quo" between Taiwan and the PRC. But other factors have changed dramatically since 1979, including growing PRC power and importance, Taiwan's democratization, and the deepening of Taiwan-PRC economic and social linkages. These changes have led to periodic discussions about the efficacy of current U.S. policy and whether or not it should be reviewed or changed. Legislation in the 111th Congress concerning Taiwan includes H. Con. Res. 18, urging that the United States resume diplomatic relations with Taiwan; and H. Con. Res. 55, expressing U.S. support for and commitment to Taiwan. This report will be updated as events warrant.

Dangerous Strait

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Publisher : Columbia University Press
ISBN 13 : 0231509634
Total Pages : 287 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (315 download)

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Book Synopsis Dangerous Strait by : Nancy Bernkopf Tucker

Download or read book Dangerous Strait written by Nancy Bernkopf Tucker and published by Columbia University Press. This book was released on 2005-03-24 with total page 287 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Today the most dangerous place on earth is arguably the Taiwan Strait, where a war between the United States and China could erupt out of miscalculation, misunderstanding, or accident. How and to what degree Taiwan pursues its own national identity will have profound ramifications in its relationship with China as well as in relations between China and the United States. Events late in 2004 demonstrated the volatility of the situation, as Taiwan's legislative elections unexpectedly preserved a slim majority for supporters of closer relations with China. Beijing, nevertheless, threatened to pass an anti-secession law, apt to revitalize pro-independence forces in Taiwan—and make war more likely. Taking change as a central theme, these essays by prominent scholars and practitioners in the arena of U.S.-Taiwan-Chinese relations combine historical context with timely analysis of an accelerating crisis. The book clarifies historical developments, examines myths about past and present policies, and assesses issues facing contemporary policymakers. Moving beyond simplistic explanations that dominate discussion about the U.S.-Taiwan-China relationship, Dangerous Strait challenges common wisdom and approaches the political, economic, and strategic aspects of the cross-Strait situation anew. The result is a collection that provides fresh and much-needed insights into a complex problem and examines the ways in which catastrophe can be avoided. The essays examine a variety of issues, including the movement for independence and its place in Taiwanese domestic politics; the underlying weaknesses of democracy in Taiwan; and the significance of China and Taiwan's economic interdependence. In the security arena, contributors provide incisive critiques of Taiwan's incomplete military modernization; strains in U.S.-Taiwan relations and their differing interpretations of China's intentions; and the misguided inclination among some U.S. policymakers to abandon Washington's traditional policy of strategic ambiguity.

Taiwan and the Rise of China

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Publisher : Lexington Books
ISBN 13 : 073917679X
Total Pages : 179 pages
Book Rating : 4.7/5 (391 download)

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Book Synopsis Taiwan and the Rise of China by : Baogang Guo

Download or read book Taiwan and the Rise of China written by Baogang Guo and published by Lexington Books. This book was released on 2012-08-09 with total page 179 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Coincided with China’s economic reform and her rapid ascendance to a great power status, the relations between Taiwan and Chinese mainland since 1979 have also seen some encouraging development. However, the rapprochement is nothing but a smooth ride. Taiwan Strait has always been full of tensions and hostility since the communist took over the mainland over sixty years ago.The periodical tensions in the cross-Strait relations have from time to time threatened to derail the peace talks between the two sides, and poised to jeopardize the region’s peace and stability. This book studies the past, present and future relations across the Taiwan Strait and examines many important questions such as internal and external factors contributing to the Taiwan’s shift in her mainland policy, impacts of Taiwan democratization on the cross-Strait relations, the development of Taiwanese identity and rise of Taiwanese nationalism, the possibility of expanding Taiwan’s international space under the shadow of China, the prospect of reunification between Taiwan and China, and the roles of the third parties, such as U.S., NGOs and Taiwan businessmen, in the changing relationship between the two sides. Taiwan and the Rise of China will certainly help readers, especially those who lack of historical perspective of the political division of the two political adversaries, to grasp the complexity and nature of the cross-Strait relations and faster a real understanding of the significance of this relationship to peace in the region as well as the world in the 21st century.

Strait Talk

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Publisher : Harvard University Press
ISBN 13 : 0674060520
Total Pages : 409 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (74 download)

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Book Synopsis Strait Talk by : Nancy Bernkopf Tucker

Download or read book Strait Talk written by Nancy Bernkopf Tucker and published by Harvard University Press. This book was released on 2011-03-18 with total page 409 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Relations among the United States, Taiwan, and China challenge policymakers, international relations specialists, and a concerned public to examine their assumptions about security, sovereignty, and peace. Only a Taiwan Straits conflict could plunge Americans into war with a nuclear-armed great power. In a timely and deeply informed book, Nancy Bernkopf Tucker traces the thorny relationship between the United States and Taiwan as both watch ChinaÕs power grow. Although TaiwanÐU.S. security has been intertwined since the 1950s, neither Taipei nor Washington ever fully embraced the other. Differences in priorities and perspectives repeatedly raised questions about the wisdom of the alignment. Tucker discusses the nature of U.S. commitments to Taiwan; the intricacies of policy decisions; the intentions of critical actors; the impact of TaiwanÕs democratization; the role of lobbying; and the accelerating difficulty of balancing Taiwan against China. In particular, she examines the destructive mistrust that undermines U.S. cooperation with Taiwan, stymieing efforts to resolve cross-Strait tensions. Strait Talk offers valuable historical context for understanding U.S.ÐTaiwan ties and is essential reading for anyone interested in international relations and security issues today.

China and Taiwan

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Author :
Publisher : John Wiley & Sons
ISBN 13 : 0745696112
Total Pages : 200 pages
Book Rating : 4.7/5 (456 download)

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Book Synopsis China and Taiwan by : Steven M. Goldstein

Download or read book China and Taiwan written by Steven M. Goldstein and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2015-11-12 with total page 200 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Relations between Taiwan and the People's Republic of China have oscillated between outright hostility and wary detente ever since the Archipelago seceded from the Communist mainland over six decades ago. While the mainland has long coveted the island, Taiwan has resisted - aided by the United States which continues to play a decisive role in cross-strait relations today. In this comprehensive analysis, noted China specialist Steven Goldstein shows that although relations between Taiwan and its larger neighbor have softened, underlying tensions remain unresolved. These embers of conflict could burst into flames at any point, engulfing the whole region and potentially dragging the United States into a dangerous confrontation with the PRC Guiding readers expertly through the historical background to the complexities of this fragile peace, Goldstein discusses the shifting economic, political and security terrain, and examines the pivotal role played by the United States in providing weapons and diplomatic support to Taiwan whilst managing a complex relationship with an increasingly powerful China. Drawing on a wealth of newly declassified material, this compelling and insightful book is an invaluable guide to one of the world's riskiest, long-running conflicts.

Taiwan and American Policy

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Author :
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 204 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (91 download)

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Book Synopsis Taiwan and American Policy by : Jerome Alan Cohen

Download or read book Taiwan and American Policy written by Jerome Alan Cohen and published by . This book was released on 1971 with total page 204 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Is Taiwan Chinese?

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Author :
Publisher : Univ of California Press
ISBN 13 : 0520231821
Total Pages : 352 pages
Book Rating : 4.5/5 (22 download)

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Book Synopsis Is Taiwan Chinese? by : Melissa J. Brown

Download or read book Is Taiwan Chinese? written by Melissa J. Brown and published by Univ of California Press. This book was released on 2004-02-04 with total page 352 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Annotation Melissa Brown looks at the issue of Tiawan - specifically whether or not the Taiwanese are of Chinese/Han ethnicity (as is claimed by the Chinese government) - or is there in fact a Taiwanese ethnicity that is in fact unique unto itself (as the Taiwanese claim).

Taiwan

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Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9781617614682
Total Pages : 0 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (146 download)

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Book Synopsis Taiwan by : Michael L. Huang

Download or read book Taiwan written by Michael L. Huang and published by . This book was released on 2011 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: U.S. policy toward Taiwan is unique. Since both the Chinese governments on Taiwan and on mainland China held that they alone were China's legitimate ruling government, U.S. diplomatic relations with Taiwan had to be severed in 1979 when the United States recognised the People's Republic of China (PRC) government as China's sole legitimate governments. While maintaining diplomatic relations with the PRC, the United States maintains extensive but unofficial relations with Taiwan based on the framework of the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act. U.S. interests in Taiwan include significant commercial ties, objections to PRC military threats against Taiwan, arms sales and security assurances, and support for Taiwan's democratic development. This book examines the historical background of Taiwan; its political status, relations with China; and the implications for U.S. policy.

A Legislative History of the Taiwan Relations Act

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Publisher : Lexington Books
ISBN 13 : 1498511139
Total Pages : 373 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (985 download)

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Book Synopsis A Legislative History of the Taiwan Relations Act by : Martin B. Gold

Download or read book A Legislative History of the Taiwan Relations Act written by Martin B. Gold and published by Lexington Books. This book was released on 2016-12-27 with total page 373 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: As 1979 dawned, President Jimmy Carter extended diplomatic recognition to the People’s Republic of China. upending longstanding U.S. foreign policy in Asia. For thirty years after the triumph of Mao’s revolution, the United States continued to recognize the claim of the Republic of China, based on Taiwan, to govern the entire country. Intricate economic and cultural relations existed between Washington and Taipei, backed by a Mutual Defense Treaty. While Carter withdrew from the treaty, satisfying a core Chinese condition for diplomatic relations, he presented Congress with legislation to allow other ties with Taiwan to continue unofficially. Many in Congress took issue with the President. Generally supportive of his policy to normalize relations with China, they worried about Taiwan’s future. Believing Carter’s legislation was incomplete, especially regarding Taiwan’s security, they held extensive hearings and lengthy debates, substantially strengthening the bill. The President ensured the measure comported with the terms of normalization. He negotiated with Congress to produce legislation he could sign and Beijing could at least tolerate. Although the final product enjoyed broad consensus in Congress, fights over amendments were fierce, and not always to the President’s advantage. Passage of the Taiwan Relations Act stabilized America’s position in Asia and its situation with Taipei, while allowing the new China to be properly launched. Now in its fourth decade, the Act remains highly impactful on the leading bilateral relationship in the world.The United States Constitution makes Congress the President’s partner in shaping American foreign policy. The Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 vividly demonstrates how robust congressional engagement and inter-Branch cooperation leads to stronger and more durable policy outcomes, which enjoy a greater degree of public acceptance.

U. S. -Taiwan Relationship: Overview of Policy Issues

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Author :
Publisher : CreateSpace
ISBN 13 : 9781505587203
Total Pages : 54 pages
Book Rating : 4.5/5 (872 download)

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Book Synopsis U. S. -Taiwan Relationship: Overview of Policy Issues by : Congressional Research Congressional Research Service

Download or read book U. S. -Taiwan Relationship: Overview of Policy Issues written by Congressional Research Congressional Research Service and published by CreateSpace. This book was released on 2014-12-11 with total page 54 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This CRS Report, updated through the 113th Congress, provides an overview with analysis of the major issues in U.S. policy on Taiwan. Taiwan formally calls itself the Republic of China (ROC), tracing its political lineage to the ROC set up after the revolution in 1911 in China. The ROC government retreated to Taipei in 1949. The United States recognized the ROC until the end of 1978 and has maintained a non-diplomatic relationship with Taiwan after recognition of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1979. The Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) of 1979, P.L. 96-8, has governed policy in engagement with Taiwan in the absence of a diplomatic relationship or a defense treaty. Other key statements of policy are the three U.S.-PRC Joint Communiqués of 1972, 1979, and 1982; and the "Six Assurances" of 1982. (CRS Report RL30341, China/Taiwan: Evolution of the "One China" Policy-Key Statements from Washington, Beijing, and Taipei.) For decades, Taiwan has been of significant security, economic, and political interest to the United States. In 2013, Taiwan was the 12th-largest U.S. trading partner. Taiwan is a major innovator and producer of information technology (IT) products, many of which are assembled in the PRC by Taiwan-invested firms there. Ties or tension across the Taiwan Strait affect international security (with potential U.S. intervention). While the United States does not diplomatically recognize Taiwan, it is an important autonomous actor. Today, 22 countries have diplomatic relations with Taiwan as the ROC. Taiwan's 23 million people enjoy self-governance with democratic elections. Democracy has offered people a greater say in Taiwan's status, given competing politics about Taiwan's national identity and priorities. Belonging to the Kuomintang (KMT), or Nationalist Party, President Ma Ying-jeou won elections in 2008 and 2012 against the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP's) candidate. The KMT also won a majority of the seats in the Legislative Yuan (LY). In 2014, the Ma Administration faced challenges from the student-led Sunflower Movement in concluding a trade deal with the PRC. The KMT faced major defeats in the local elections on November 29, when many people voted against its domestic policies. Since Taiwan and the PRC resumed their quasi-official dialogue in 2008 under President Ma and cross-strait tension decreased, some have stressed the need to take steps by the United States and by Taiwan to strengthen cooperation to advance U.S. interests. Another approach has viewed closer cross-strait engagement as allowing U.S. attention to shift to expand cooperation with a rising China, which opposes U.S. arms sales to and other dealings with Taiwan, and Taiwan's independence. Washington and Taipei have put more efforts into their respective relations with Beijing, while contending that they have pursued positive, parallel U.S.-Taiwan cooperation. President Ma has sought U.S. support, including for Taiwan's inclusion in the U.S. strategic "rebalance" to the Asia-Pacific, international organizations, talks on maritime disputes in the East and South China Seas, and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Other policy issues are whether and when to approve arms sales, and how to bolster economic cooperation and resolve disputes, such as through the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) talks (last held in April 2014). The United States has been concerned about Taiwan's restrictions on U.S. beef and pork, even as Taiwan has claimed attention to international organizations and standards. Taiwan has proposed a bilateral investment agreement (BIA). On September 23, 2014, 29 Members in the House sent a letter to the Secretary of State, calling for expanding engagement with Taiwan.