​ONE CHINA, FIVE INTERPRETATIONS 

This ebook provides an in-depth examination of the concept of 'one China', which is the established framework guiding relations between China, Taiwan and the U.S.  As my research shows, there are five different interpretations of the concept: The PRC has two; the U.S. has two; and Taiwan has one.  The differences matter.  In my Author's note, I point out that the differences between the U.S.'s "One China Policy" and China's"One China Principle" cannot be underscored enough.  The differences are many, but from my view the most important difference is that the former supports a peaceful settlement of issues between China and Taiwan, whereas the latter asserts the legal right to use force to resolve issues with Taiwan.  Policymakers as well as journalists need to be sensitive to these fundamental differences that can shape the future outcome of U.S.-China-Taiwan relations.  To date, scholars and experts have yet to parse the different interpretations of this concept and analyze the implications.  This forthcoming e-book fills that gap. It will be published in 2018.  ​

E-book: One China, Five Interpretations

EXCERPT FROM CHAPTER 1: ​

​​There is no precedent providing definitions of ‘China’ and ‘one China’...in the U.S.-PRC communiqués the U.S. leaves the concepts undefined, whereas in the TRA the U.S. makes no mention of ‘one China’. It has left the future status of the ROC, the PRC, China, and Taiwan to be determined.

The ROC interpretation of one China is evolving from the original understanding when the Kuomintang was in complete control of political policy on Taiwan.

EXCERPT FROM INTRODUCTION
​written by
JUDITH NORTON, PHD (Georgia)

EXCERPT FROM CHAPTER 3: ​

​The KMT and the DPP have areas of disagreement regarding the official policy of One China ROC. This produces two distinctive positions on the concept, with the former embracing the concept whereas the latter aims to abandon it because of what it represents: unification with the PRC.

EXCERPT FROM CHAPTER 2: ​

The PRC's "One China Principle" contains the legal right to use force against Taiwan to resolve issues, while the U.S.'s "One China Policy" also asserts the lawful right to deter the PRC’s use of force against Taiwan. Both the PRC and the U.S. claim these rights are grounded in international law and embed these rights in their domestic laws.

EXCERPT FROM CONCLUSION: ​

The different interpretations of the concept of 'one China' has enabled peace and stability to prevail in the Taiwan Strait for decades.  But, as this e-book demonstrates, the different interpretations contain areas of similarities and differences.  The former consists of only a few overlapping areas of convergence, whereas the latter is made up of many areas of divergence that become more pronounced in times of national security crises, changing domestic political agendas,  as well as shifting regional dynamics.

The U.S.'s "One China Policy" consists of two frameworks, which, in effect, produce two different policies depending upon how the U.S. government handles them. 

Chapter Summaries

Introduction

The introduction provides a brief overview of the drivers of the e-book, as well as a quick glance at the different interpretations of the concept of 'one China'.

Chapter One:
​The U.S.'s "One China Policy"

Chapter One provides an in-depth examination of the U.S.'s "One China Policy".  The Policy contains two frameworks that enable the U.S. to maintain a flexible approach to the cross-strait relationship. The chapter highlights the few specific variables that tend to drive the shifts in U.S. policy between the two frameworks. It concludes with an assessment of the Policy's main contradictions.

Chapter Two:
​The PRC's "One China Principle" 

​Chapter Two analyzes how the PRC leadership gradually constructed the PRC's "One China Principle". It highlights how the Communist Party of China (CPC) consistently adhered to the Principle and promoted it as the political formula for reunification of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. The Chapter concludes with an overview of the Principle's primary contradictions.

Chapter Three:
​The ROC's "One China Equals ROC"

Chapter Three  parses the ROC's position on the concept of 'one China'.   It demonstrates that the KMT tends to adhere to the concept in order to promote its unification vision, whereas the DPP tends to avoid committing to it.  The DPP, in fact, wants to abandon the concept of 'one China', as well as any attendant concepts.  It intends to develop a new framework for cross-strait relations. The KMT's and the DPP's opposing positions on the concept of 'one China' create a political divide in Taiwan over its future with the PRC. The Chapter concludes with an examination of the major issues affecting Taiwan's 'one China' approach.

Chapter Four:
​Conclusion 

The concluding chapter provides some final observations and remarks on the concept of 'one China'.  It contends that although the concept of “One China” is a long-established framework guiding relations between the U.S., PRC, and Taiwan, as well as relations between the CPC, KMT, and the DPP, it contains five different interpretations. These different interpretations create areas of conflict and cooperation that can have a push-pull effect on the policies of all the actors involved in the cross-strait relationship, creating the conditions for peace or for conflict.  ​

One China, Five Interpretations

The e-book is forthcoming.

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