Evolution And Continuity--The U.S.-Taiwan Strategic Relationship After 1950: History And Trend

The U.S. has been involved into disputes at the Taiwan Strait with the context of dramatic changes to strategic relationships in West Pacific area after World Warâ…¡. By using the framework of strategic study, this paper will examine what the strategic value of Taiwan is and where the bedrock of the U.S.-Taiwan relationship exists in three periods: before 1979, the 80's,and after cold war.Furthermore, the paper will try to prove that Taiwan belongs to American strategic interests, and the U.S. changes its strategic objectives and means at the Taiwan Strait under different circumstances in the West Pacific area. However, there are also some continuity in the evolution of strategic objectives and means. Comparing the evolution and continuity, we can find the Taiwan's value as a strategic asset for the U.S. in this area.The second aspect this paper try to prove is that, in the aftermath of Cold War, prominent step characterizing the U.S.-Taiwan strategic relationship was U.S. stressed its control of Taiwan status mainly by means of supporting Taiwan's"democracy"and"localization", and helping pro-U.S forces in KMT came to power. In consequence of the U.S. strategic step, the new forces of the KMT, led by Lee Teng-hui in 90's, promoted Taiwan's de jure independence, and publicly issued their theory of"Special State-to-State"in 1999. Another two events also give full expression to close relations between Taiwan's new political forces and the U.S., one is Bush administration's decision of selling 150 F-16 fighters to Taiwan in 1992, the other is that president Clinton agreed Lee Teng-hui's visit to the United States in 1996. After 2000, the U.S. lacked effective management on Taiwan political forces . Ultimately, the U.S. missing control over Taiwan independence challenged its structural power in the Taiwan-strait.