One China Issue

‘One China,’ ‘Status Quo,’ and ‘Taiwan Independence’

"One Country on Each Side" Statement

~ 2000 ; 2001-2003 ; 2004-2005 ; 2006 ; 2007

DPP Chairmanship Candidates Reaffirm Party's Pro-Independence Stance (CNA, May 5, 2008) The three candidates in the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) chairmanship election advocated Sunday that the party should not back down from its position on Taiwan's independence, despite its two huge setbacks this year in the legislative and presidential elections.

Ma Stresses Interpretation of 'One-China' Key to Talks
(Taiwan News, Apr. 2, 2008) "If China were to say that there is only 'one China', but no room for separate interpretations of both sides, then I am sorry to say that there is nothing to talk about," said President-elect Ma Ying-jeou.

Chen, Ma Debate 1992 Consensus
(Taiwan News, Apr. 1, 2008) President Chen Shui-bian and his incoming successor Ma Ying-jeou had an open meeting where the two debated the existence and wisdom of the 1992 consensus under which Ma proposes to revive dialogue with China. "I love Taiwan no less than you,” Ma told Chen. “Please feel assured I will protect the country's sovereignty when you pass the responsibility to me.”

Gates Reassures Hu on Taiwan
(AFP, Nov. 7, 2007) US Defence Secretary Robert Gates on Tuesday assured China's President Hu Jintao that the US government is "categorically" opposed to any moves by Taiwan towards independence. "I restated our position that we're categorically opposed to any efforts by anyone to unilaterally change the status quo," "I basically reiterated that the US government has been quite clear in its messages to Taiwan not to change the status quo," he said.

Washington Clarifies Pentagon Statements
(China Post, Nov. 7, 2007) The United States clarified yesterday a highly sensitive statement that was posted this past weekend on the Pentagon's Web site. Washington's stance regarding cross-strait relations has not changed, an official from the Ministry of Defense said.

Pentagon Urged to Clarify 'Referendum' Remarks
(Taiwan News, Nov. 6, 2007) Taiwan's representative office in Washington has been asked to approach the U.S. Department of Defense for clarification of a statement released by the Pentagon. In the press release, it described Taiwan's referendum in March 2008 as an "independent referendum," and stated that U.S. President George W. Bush "has said the United States is against independence for the island nation."

China Will Take 'Measures' against Taiwan Independence
(Agence France Presse, Nov. 1, 2007) China warned long-time rival Taiwan against any push for formal independence, saying it would take "necessary measures" if such efforts continued. "(We) will definitely not swallow the bitter fruit of 'Taiwan independence'," said Yang Yi, spokesman of the Taiwan Affairs Office.

Taiwan’s Independence Movement Likely to Wane By Edward Wong
(New York Times, Mar. 12, 2008) No matter who wins Taiwan’s fiercely contested presidential election on March 22, the fervent independence movement that has so agitated relations with mainland China in recent years seems destined to suffer a significant setback.

Kosovo Declaration Raises Issue of Taiwan's Future
(Taipei Times, Feb 23, 2008) Kosovo's recent declaration of independence sparked mixed reactions from the international community as well as within Taiwan. While some academics believe the Kosovo case can pave the way for Taiwan to become a normal country, some say Taiwan should not expect to find an ally in Pristina.

The U.S. “One China” Policy: Time for a Change? By Alan D. Romberg (Henry L. Stimson Center, Oct. 2007) No, it is not time for a change in the U.S. “one China” policy. It does need to be better understood—including not just by interested publics, but by those charged with carrying it out, as well as by political leaders and policy-makers in Taiwan and the Mainland. And it does need to be implemented in ways that are respectful of the fundamental interests on both sides.

China Offers Taiwan Peace Ahead of Island's Election
(Bloomberg, Oct. 15, 2007) Hu's offer comes ahead of a Taiwanese presidential election in March. Both candidates to succeed President Chen Shui-bian, who has been branded a ``splitist'' by China, have taken a softer line on independence.

Taiwan's Ruling Party Passes Sovereignty Resolution
(AFP, Oct. 1, 2007) Taiwan's ruling party approved a resolution underscoring the island's sovereignty and calling for steps to turn it into a "normal country." The resolution was the more moderate of two versions put to a congress of the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). However, the resolution is regarded as largely aspirational and is not expected to have an immediate impact on government policy.

Taiwan Eyes Editing China from Textbooks
(Associated Press, July 23, 2007) Taiwan plans to revise school textbooks to drop references that recognize Chinese historical figures, places and artifacts as "national". The announcement is the latest in a series of moves by the island in the past few months to assert its sovereignty as President Chen Shui-bian's final term in office winds down.