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The concept of 'One China' presented and, still presents a major challenge to the process of negotiation occurring between China and Taiwan. From the time of its inception, the application of the concept has changed from 'One China' as a description of the final political status of China and Taiwan after the process of negotiations to a description of the status of China and Taiwan during the process of negotiations. The definition of 'One China' has become increasingly important to the point that actions taken by the Taiwanese side perceived by the Chinese side to be contrary to the 'One China' principle have interrupted the negotiation process. The Taiwanese side insists that it is a de facto sovereign country and, thus, during the negotiation process it should be treated as such (the issue of parity); whereas the Chinese side contends that Taiwan must first acknowledge the 'One China' principle. When both sides use the term 'One China' it is unclear whether they speak about 'One China' during the process of negotiation or 'One China' as a description of the final outcome.
Strait Talk, Chapter Six: The Negotiations |
Background on One China
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According to a previously published article titled "One China, Five Interpretations" and the forthcoming e-book with the same title, the concept of ‘one China’ is the long-standing framework guiding relations between the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Taiwan, and the United States of America (U.S.). But, as our research shows, there are five different interpretations of the concept: The PRC has two; the U.S. has two; and Taiwan has one.
The PRC maintains a "One China Principle"(一个中国的原则), in which China and Taiwan are one China with two systems as now exists with Hong Kong and Macao. The U.S. maintains a "One China Policy" (一个中国的政策). The U.S.'s "One China Policy" contains two competing frameworks: the communiqué framework consisting of the three U.S.-PRC Joint Communiqués (1972, 1979, and 1982) while the second framework consists of the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), the Six Assurances (1982), and Reagan’s Secret Memorandum on the 1982 Communiqué. The U.S.’s “One China Policy” can support two policies favoring either China or Taiwan. This compels the PRC to advocate that the U.S. follow a “One China Policy” consisting of the communiqués framework and the Three Non-Supports (三不支持), as indicated in the Chinese version of China’s White Paper titled "The One China Principle and the Taiwan Issue" (一个中国的原则与台湾问题). The ROC interpretation is evolving from the original understanding when the Kuomintang (KMT) was in complete control of political policy in Taiwan. That understanding was based upon the 1992 Consensus (One China under the Kuomintang (一個中國中華民國) and the “Six Assurances" from the United States that stated the U.S. would promote a peaceful resolution to the problem, would not mediate between the two, but would continue arms sales to Taiwan to reinforce its defense. Lastly, Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) does not support the concept of 'one China'. It actively advocates a "Dynamic" status quo policy that promotes "Taiwanese independence" on Taiwan which, in effect, means the goal to maintain and advance Taiwan as a separate political entity from China. |
Implications for the Cross-Strait Relationship
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Since the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has now replaced the KMT in Taiwan there are efforts to redefine relations between China and Taiwan to allow for more Taiwan independence. As a result the DPP actively promotes its interpretation of the status quo, which is that Taiwan is an independent, sovereign country. In more recent times, the DPP also refuses to verbalize the phrase “1992 Consensus”, which, from China's viewpoint, represents not only a rejection of China's "One China Principle" but also support for forces of Taiwanese independence. The Tsai administration's ongoing rejection of the "One China Principle" could prompt China to invoke the 2005 Anti-Secession Law which has the potential to trigger hostilities that drag the U.S. in.
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People's Republic of China (PRC)
The one-China principle is the political foundation of cross-Straits relations. The 1992 Consensus embodies the one-China principle and defines the fundamental nature of cross-Straits relations; it thus holds the key to the peaceful development of relations between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits.
Secure a Decisive Victory in Building a Moderately Prosperous Society in All Respects and Strive for the Great Success of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era President Xi Jinping Delivered at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China October 18, 2017 |
On the basis of the one-China principle, let us shelve for now certain political disputes and resume the cross-straits dialogue and negotiations as soon as possible. On the premise of the one-China principle, all issues can be discussed. Former President Jiang Zemin 16th Party Congress November 17, 2002 |
Xi Jinping
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I hope parties and organizations in Taiwan accept the 1992 Consensus.
President Xi Jinping "Xi calls for adhering to one-China principle in meeting with Ma" Xinhua November 2015 |
Hu Jintao Administration
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We must continue to adhere to the one-China principle. Although the mainland and Taiwan are yet to be reunified, the fact that both belong to one China has never changed.
Hu Jintao Report to the Eighteenth National Congress of the Communist Party of China November 8, 2012 |
Jiang Zemin Administration
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The Taiwan question is the most important and the most sensitive issue at the core of China- U.S. relations. We hope that the U.S. side will adhere to the principles set forth in the three China-U.S. joint communiqués and the joint China-U.S. statement, as well as the relevant commitments it has made in the interest of a smooth growth of China-U.S. relations.
President Jiang Zemin June 27, 1998 Clinton-Jiang Summit |
Yang Shangkun Administration
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At this working-level consultation in Hong Kong, SEF representatives suggested that each side use respective verbal announcements to state the one China principle.
People's Daily, PRC, November 6, 1992 |
Deng Xiaoping Administration
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From the day when Taiwan was unfortunately separated from the motherland in 1949, we have not been able to communicate with or visit each other, our motherland has not been able to achieve reunification, relatives have been unable to get together, and our nation, country and people have suffered greatly as a result. All Chinese compatriots and people of Chinese descent throughout the world look forward to an early end to this regrettable state of affairs.
Message to Compatriots in Taiwan January 01. 1979 |
Tsai Ing-wen Administraiton (2016 - )2017
Premier Lai sees no immediate fallout from pro-independence comment, Focus Taiwan News Channel (September 29, 2017) Challenges to Taiwan's diplomacy come from China's pressure, Focus Taiwan News Channel (June 22, 2017) Taiwan criticizes China's behavior at labor meeting, Focus Taiwan News Channel (June 18, 2017) Taiwan denounces China for damaging cross-strait peace, Focus Taiwan News Channel (June 13, 2017) Most Taiwanese reject one-China as precondition for ties with Beijing, Focus Taiwan News Channel (June 08, 2017) Ex-VP Meets with Chinese Vice Premier in Boao, Focus Taiwan News Channel (March 24, 2017) 72 Taiwan schools found to have signed 'inappropriate' study pledges, Focus Taiwan News Channel (March 17, 2017) MAC Taiwan urges US support in maintaining cross-strait peace, Focus Taiwan News Channel (January 19, 2017) |
We will also work to maintain the existing mechanisms for dialogue and communication across the Taiwan Strait.
President Tsai Ing-wen Inaugural address May 20, 2016 |
Ma Ying-jeou Administration (2008-2016)
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2013
KMT agrees on "One China Framework", CCTV (June 14, 2013) MAC: "One China" Is the Republic of China, Mainland Affairs Council (June 14, 2013) MAC: The Republic of China is a Sovereign, Independent State; Cross-Strait Relations Positioned in Accordance to Constitution and Does Not Parrot the Mainland's "One China Principle" (2013) |
As stipulated in the ROC Constitution and the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area, the relationship across the Strait is defined as "one Republic of China, two areas". The ROC government has never changed its position on cross-strait relations; therefore whether it be the "one China principle", "one China framework", or "one China concept", the "one China" is the Republic of China.
MAC: "One China" Is the Republic of China June 14, 2013 |
Chen Shui-bian Administration
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