In
the Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic
Relations on January 1, 1979, issued by the Government
of the United States of America and the People's Republic
of China, the United States of America recognized the
Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole
legal Government of China, and it acknowledged the Chinese
position that there is but one China and Taiwan is part
of China. Within that context, the two sides agreed that
the people of the United States would continue to maintain
cultural, commercial, and other unofficial relations with
the people of Taiwan. On this basis, relations between
the United States and China were normalized.
The
question of United States arms sales to Taiwan was not
settled in the course of negotiations between the two
countries on establishing diplomatic relations. The two
sides held differing positions, and the Chinese side stated
that it would raise the issue again following normalization.
Recognizing that this issue would seriously hamper the
development of United States - China relations, they have
held further discussions on it, during and since the meetings
between President Ronald Reagan and Premier Zhao Ziyang
and between Secretary of State Alexander M. Haig, Jr.
and Vice Premier and Foreign Minister Huang Hua in October
1981.
Respect
for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity
and non-interference in each other's internal affairs
constitute the fundamental principles guiding United States
China relations. These principles were confirmed in the
Shanghai Communiqué of February 28, 1972 and reaffirmed
in the Joint Communiqué on the Establishment Of Diplomatic
Relations which came into effect on January 1, 1979. Both
sides emphatically state that these principles continue
to govern all aspects of their relations.
The
Chinese Government reiterates that the question of Taiwan
is China's internal affair. The Message to Compatriots
in Taiwan issued by China on January 1, 1979 promulgated
a fundamental policy of striving for peaceful reunification
of the motherland. The Nine-Point Proposal put forward
by China on September 30, 1981 represented a further major
effort under this fundamental policy to strive for a peaceful
solution to the Taiwan question.
The
United States Government attaches great importance to
its relations with China, and reiterates that it has no
intention of infringing on Chinese sovereignty and territorial
integrity, or interfering in China's internal affairs,
or pursuing a policy of "two Chinas" or "one
China, one Taiwan." The United States Government
understands and appreciates the Chinese policy of striving
for a peaceful resolution of the Taiwan question as indicated
in China's Message to Compatriots in Taiwan issued on
January 1, 1979 and the Nine-Point Proposal put forward
by China on September 30, 1981. The new situation which
has emerged with regard to the Taiwan question also provides
favorable conditions for the settlement of United States
- China differences over United States arms sales to Taiwan.
Having
in mind the foregoing statements of both sides, the United
States Government states that it does not seek to carry
out a long-term policy of arms sales to Taiwan, that its
arms sales to Taiwan will not exceed, either in qualitative
or in quantitative terms, the level of those supplied
in recent years since the establishment of diplomatic
relations between the United States and China, and that
it intends gradually to reduce its sale of arms to Taiwan,
leading, over a period of time, to a final resolution.
In so stating, the United States acknowledges China's
consistent position regarding the thorough settlement
of this issue.
In
order to bring about, over a period of time, a final settlement
of the question of United States arms sales to Taiwan,
which is an issue rooted in history, the two Governments
will make every effort to adopt measures and create conditions
conducive to the thorough settlement of this issue.
The
development of United States - China relations is not
only in the interests of the two peoples but also conducive
to peace and stability in the world. The two sides are
determined, on the principle of equality and mutual benefit,
to strengthen their ties in the economic, cultural, educational,
scientific, technological and other fields and make strong,
joint efforts for the continued development of relations
between the Governments and peoples of the United States
and China.
In
order to bring about the healthy development of United
States - China relations, maintain world peace and oppose
aggression and expansion, the two Governments reaffirm
the principles agreed on by the two sides in the Shanghai
Communiqué and the Joint Communiqué on the Establishment
of Diplomatic Relations. The two sides will maintain contact
and hold appropriate consultations on bilateral and international
issues of common interest.
