The United States and China; a closer look at Sino-American Relations and the One-China Policy

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2017-07-17

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en

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Although relatively short, the history of Sino-American foreign relations is one of the most important in the world. The bilateral relationship between the United States and China has, since 1784, evolved into a balancing game with high stakes and even higher rewards. Regarding population and economic and military prowess these two nations have become the world’s two largest superpowers. Since 1979 a major point on foreign relations between the two has been the One-China policy, which the US enacted to settle the dispute between the People’s Republic of China (mainland) and the Republic of China (Taiwan). The One-China policy states that the PRC is the sole legitimate government of China, and that the US will not continue diplomatic relations with the ROC. The One-China policy is based upon the Taiwan Relations act of 1979 and the Three Communiqués of 1972, 1979, and 1982. Since its origin the policy has undergone several changes but the underlying concept has remained the same. With the rise of China as a superpower and a changing political climate it is up to Barack Obama and his successors to act accordingly and find the right balance between a friendly Sino-American relationship and the preservation of important Western and American values.

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