TheThree CommuniquésorThree Joint Communiqués(Chinese:Tam cá liên hợp công báo) are a collection of three joint statements made by the governments of theUnited States(US) and thePeople's Republic of China(PRC). The communiqués played a crucial role in the establishment ofrelations between the US and the PRCand continue to be an essential element in dialogue between the twostates,along with theSix AssurancesandTaiwan Relations Act.[1]
1st
editThe first communiqué (February 28, 1972), known as theShanghai Communiqué,summarizes the landmark dialogue begun by PresidentRichard Nixonand PremierZhou Enlaiduring February 1972. Some of the issues addressed in this communiqué include the two sides' views onVietnam,theKorean Peninsula,IndiaandPakistanand theKashmirregion, and perhaps most importantly, theTaiwan(Republic of China) issue (i.e.,Taiwan's political status). Essentially, both sides agreed to respect each other's national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The United States formallyacknowledgedthat "all Chinese on either side of the Taiwan Strait maintain there is but one China and that Taiwan is a part of China" and that the "United States Government does not challenge that position", and that it "reaffirms its interest in a peaceful settlement of the Taiwan question by the Chinese themselves".[2]
The use of the word "acknowledge" (rather than "accept" ) is often cited as an example of the United States' ambiguous position regarding the future of Taiwan.[1]
2nd
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The second communiqué (January 1, 1979), theJoint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations,formally announces the commencement of normal relations between the United States and the People's Republic of China. In so doing, the United States recognized that the government of the People's Republic of China was the sole legal government of China, and acknowledged the PRC's position that Taiwan is part of China.[3]In addition, the United States government declared that it would end formal political relations with the Republic of China ( "Taiwan" ) while preserving economic and cultural ties. Both sides reaffirmed their wish to reduce the risk of international conflict as well as avoidance ofhegemonyof any nation in theAsia-Pacificregion.
3rd
editThe third communiqué (August 17, 1982), also known as the August 17th communiqué,[4]reaffirms the desire of both sides to further strengthen economic, cultural, educational, scientific, and technological ties. Both sides also reaffirmed the statements made about the Taiwan issue in the previous communiqué. Although no definitive conclusions were reached on the issue of arms sale to Taiwan, the United States declared its intent to continueselling arms to Taiwanand to gradually change its level of arms sales consistent with the PRC's militarization of the Taiwan strait.
A declassified cable sent on July 10, 1982, from Secretary of StateLawrence EagleburgertoAITdirectorJames R. Lilleyexplained that reducing arms sales to Taiwan would be contingent on the commitment of the PRC to a peace across the Taiwan Strait.[5]Afterwards, the US clarified the third communique by issuing theSix Assurancesto Taiwan.
See also
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References
edit- ^abdeLisle, Jacques(March 9, 2017)."Trump, Tsai, and the Three Communiques: Prospects for Stability in US-China-Taiwan Relations".Foreign Policy Research Institute.RetrievedJanuary 10,2021.
- ^"Deterrence Lawfare to Save Taiwan".Council on Foreign Relations.RetrievedJanuary 2,2024.
- ^"Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume I, Foundations of Foreign Policy - Office of the Historian".
- ^"U.S.-PRC Joint Communique (1982)".American Institute in Taiwan.RetrievedMarch 15,2022.
- ^"Declassified Cables: Taiwan Arms Sales & Six Assurances (1982)".American Institute in Taiwan.RetrievedJanuary 10,2021.