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United States and Evolving Cross-Strait Relations

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Abstract

The article discusses the U. S. role in cross-strait relations before and after the political power transition in Taiwan during 2008. It explores the question of whether a new dynamic is shaping the Beijing-Taipei-Washington trilateral relations with the significant relaxation of cross-strait relations, and how that affects Washington’s ability to influence the direction of cross-strait relations in the future. More specifically the paper analyzes the role the United States played in shaping the new reality in the Taiwan Straits, and the evolving thinking on Taiwan in American strategic and political circles. It will also discuss how Washington has managed the cross-strait relations so far as well as how Beijing and Taipei have handled the American factor on some sensitive issues. Finally it will look at the potential benefits and limitations that the United States could contribute to achieving a higher level of reconciliation and integration between the two sides across the Taiwan Straits.

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Notes

  1. The strongest and most systematic criticism came from Thomas Christensen, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs. See his “A strong and moderate Taiwan,” speech to U.S.-Taiwan Business Council, Defense Industry Conference, Annapolis, Maryland, Sept. 11, 2007, http://www.state.gov/eap/rls/rm/2007/91979.htm.

  2. James A. Kelly, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, “Overview of U.S. Policy Toward Taiwan,” Testimony at a hearing on Taiwan, House International Relations Committee, Washington, DC. Apr. 21, 2004, http://www.state.gov/p/eap/rls/rm/2004/31649.htm.

  3. Associated Press, “Incoming president of Taiwan doubts China unification,” May 15, 2008.

  4. White House, “Statement by the President on Taiwan election,” March 22, 2009; “Statement by the Press Secretary, March 26, 2008.

  5. He characterized the meeting as “a good way forward,” “Stability in the Taiwan Straits,” John Negroponte, Deputy Secretary, Washington DC, April 11, 2008, http://www.state.gov/s/d/2008/103474.htm.

  6. “White House official Wilder is not worried about the rapid development in cross-strait relations,” www.chinataiwan.org, June 1, 2008.

  7. “Overview of trip to Asia,” remarks by Secretary Clinton en route to Tokyo, Japan, February 15, 2009, U.S. Department of State, http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2009a/02/117345.htm.

  8. “US ‘delighted’ with state of cross-strait relations,” China Times, July 19, 2009.

  9. Xinhua, “Wang Yi met American officials and politicians,” June 25, 2009.

  10. U.S. Department of State, Daily Press Briefing, June 29, 2010.

  11. U.S. Department of State, David Shear, Deputy Assistant Secretary, “Cross-strait relations in a new era of negotiation,” June 29, 2010.

  12. Taiwan Times, “US Congressman calls for overhaul of Taiwan policy,” May 21, 2009.

  13. “Ma Ying-jeou plans to visit South and Central America with transits in the U.S.,” http://www.sina.com.cn, July 14, 2008; “Ma Ying-jeou to visit South and Central America with transits in Los Angles,” http://news.hsw.cn, July 17, 2008.

  14. “American officials laid down five expectations of cross-strait relations after Ma won the election,” DWNEWS.COM, March 25, 2008.

  15. Associated Press, “Taiwan leader: US weapons needed,” July 12, 2008.

  16. “Behind the scene: the United States suspends arms sale to Taiwan and people disagree in the Bush administration,” www.dwnews.com, July 17, 2008.

  17. AFP, “US admiral acknowledges arms sales freeze on Taiwan,” July 16, 2008.

  18. “US State Dept Daily Press Briefing,” July 18, 2008, http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0807/S00581.htm.

  19. Washington Post, “Top U.S. officials stalling Taiwan arms package,” June 12, 2008.

  20. “DoD news briefing with Adm. Keating from the Pentagon,” July 22, 2009.

  21. Washington Times, “Editorial: Taiwan’s new direction,” May 28, 2008.

  22. Voice of America, “Experts urge the United States, China and Taiwan to seize the historical opportunity,” May 6, 2008.

  23. Epoch Times, “Douglas Paal: the United States and China should help Taiwan find a way to participate in international organizations,” June 27, 2008.

  24. For example, Thomas Barnett argues that the United States should drop its ambiguous defense commitment to Taiwan thus removing one of the most likely sources of great power conflict in the 21st century and locking in China’s strategic security partnership on other global issues at a lower price. See his Blueprint for Action: A Future Worth Creating, New York: Putnam’s, 2005; Jamie Glazov, “The Pentagon’s new map,” January 26, 2005, http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID={5EA352BE-6497-41BF-884E-B3B9A675FD9F}.

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  26. “Susan Shirk: cross-strait peaceful exchanges do not need the United States to play a role,” China Times, May 7, 2008.

  27. “Locking in China at today’s prices,” August 30, 2007, Time/CNN, “The China Blog,” http://time-blog.com/china_blog/2007/08/locking_in_china_at_todays_pri.html.

  28. Xinhua, “To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the mainland’s ‘Message to Compatriots in Taiwan,’ Hu Jintao delivered an important speech,” December 31, 2008.

  29. Xinhua, “Hu meets KMT chairman, vows to avoid ‘internal struggle,’” May 26, 2009.

  30. www.am765.com, “Cross-strait military CBMs began to take shape, “April 21, 2009.

  31. VOA, “Ma: it is still too early to set up mechanism in cross-strait military mutual trust,” April 22, 2009.

  32. Dwnews.com, “Taiwan Defense Minister: the time for cross-strait military dialogue has not come yet,” March 16, 2009.

  33. Zaobao.com, “Cross-strait military mutual trust: Taiwan put forwards three conditions,” March 16, 2009.

  34. PChome, “The CCP reiterates its desire to develop mechanism on military mutual trust,” April 29, 2009, http://news.pchome.com.tw/internation/bcc/20090429/index-

  35. “The formation and problems in mechanism of cross-strait military mutual trust,” China Review, No. 10, 2008, http://cn.chinareviewnews.com/crn-webapp/zpykpub/docDetail.jsp?docid=21614&page=2.

  36. Phtv.ifeng.com, “Taiwan experts says that Taipei does not think the cross-strait mechanism of military mutual trust is a pressing task,” June 11, 2009.

  37. Xinhua, “Wang Yi met American officials and politicians,” June 25, 2009.

  38. New York Times, “Hopes for U.S. military ties with China,” February 18, 2009.

  39. Global Times, “Taiwan media says that the two militaries cross-strait will have their first contact in sixty years,” March 30, 2009.

  40. DefensNews, “Taiwan-China mil-to-mil report false,” April 3, 2009.

  41. Chinenews.com, “Li Weiyi: ‘two militaries on the two shores will have contact under the U.S. sponsorship’ inaccurate,” April 15, 2009.

  42. Reuters, “Exclusive-Taiwan renews push for U.S. F-16 fighters,” March 15, 2009.

  43. “Overview of trip to Asia,” remarks by Secretary Clinton en route to Tokyo, Japan, February 15, 2009, U.S. Department of State, http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2009a/02/117345.htm.

  44. Taipei Times, “Campbell confirms arms talks,” June 12, 2009.

  45. China Post, “F-16 fighter jet sale still on the table: outgoing AIT chief,” June 27, 2009.

  46. Taipei Times, “U.S. Senate hears support for arms sales,” Feb 14, 2009.

  47. Associated Press, “US intel chief warns again China-Taiwan conflict, February 12, 2009.

  48. Chinanewscom, “The U.S. Pacific Commander says that the United States is considering to sell F16C/D fighter jets to Taiwan, “July 24, 2009, http://www.chinanews.com.cn/tw/tw-twyw/news/2009/07-24/1789878.shtml.

  49. Chinesenews.com, “Taiwan’s senior leadership asserts that the United States will sell F-16 fighter jet to Taiwan,” June 4, 2009. http://www.chinanews.com.cn/tw/tw-jsdt/news/2009/06-04/1719614.shtml.

  50. Taipei Times, “US talks ‘disappoint’ Chinese official,” June 27, 2009.

  51. AFP, “China urges US to scrap Taiwan arms sale,” June 22, 2009.

  52. Taipei Times, “US talks ‘disappoint’ Chinese official,” June 27, 2009.

  53. Xinhua, “Xu Caihou held talks with American Defense Minister Gates,” October 28, 2009.

  54. New York Times, “With defense test, China shows displeasure of U.S.,” January 12, 2010.

  55. New York Times, “U.S. approval of Taiwan arms sales angers China,” January 29, 2010

  56. Xinhua, “China to halt military exchanges, punish U.S. companies for arms sales to Taiwan,“ January 30, 2010.

  57. Xinhua, “China protests U.S. arms sales plan to Taiwan,” January 30, 2010.

  58. Www.voa.com.cn , “China should let American core interest suffer,” February 2 2010.

  59. Xinhua, “TAO spokesperson on the U.S. arms sale to Taiwan,” January 30, 2010.

  60. “U.S.-China Joint Statement,” White House, November 17, 2009.

  61. “AIT chairman Raymond Burghardt press roundtable,” American Institute in Taiwan, Taipei, November 24, 2009.

  62. Xinhua, “Principle of respecting China’s sovereignty, territorial integrity applies to Taiwan issue: spokesman,” November 26, 2009.

  63. Xinhua, “China suspends military visits with the U.S. over planned arms sale to Taiwan,” January 30, 2010.

  64. Associated Press, “USS Nimitz among warships in Hong Kang in sign of easing tension,” February 17, 2010.

  65. Xinhua, “US deputy secretary James Steinberg reiterates the One China policy,” March 30, 2010; New York Times, “Amid thaw, Obama talks with Chinese leader, “ April 1, 2010; Xinhua, “US president Obama accepts the letter of credence of Ambassador Zhang Yesui,” June 11, 2010.

  66. AFP, “China rebuffs plans for Gates to visit Beijing,” June 2, 2010.

  67. Xinhua, “China to halt military exchanges, punish U.S. companies for arms sales, to Taiwan,” January 30, 2010.

  68. Xinhua, “President Hu visits Taiwan businesses on mainland ahead of Spring Festival,” February 13, 2010.

  69. Taiwan News, “Ma departs Los Angeles for Taiwan after mayoral ‘power breakfast,” January 30, 2010.

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  1. Political Science Department, University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, WI, 54481, USA

    Jianwei Wang

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Correspondence to Jianwei Wang.

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Wang, J. United States and Evolving Cross-Strait Relations. J OF CHIN POLIT SCI 15, 351–369 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11366-010-9116-0

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