Study Of The Bush Administration's Policy Toward Taiwan

The purpose of this thesis is to explore the characteristics of the American Taiwan policy under the administration of George W. Bush on the basis of a deep analysis of the policy with a strong belief that these findings can be of some reference value to China's policymaking involved in Sino-U.S. relations and Taiwan issue. This thesis is composed of four parts.The first part makes a brief review on the evolution track in the Bush administration's policy toward Taiwan. At the beginning of his first term, Bush adopted a pro-Taiwan policy and played hardball with the mainland China under the strategic consideration of containment, and accordingly he promoted U.S. relations with Taiwan in terms of politics, economy and military. The September 11 terrorist attacks led to a reflection and reshaping of China policy on the American part, and its former policy, which was featured by an emphasis on the threat from China, had been gradually shifted to one highlighting Sino-American cooperation. Although Bush administration softened its China policy ostensibly, its suspicion toward China had not been eased, and it still increased its influence on Taiwan in various aspects despite the fact that a relatively lower profile had been kept on Taiwan issue. In the second term of office, the Bush administration had continued its Taiwan policy after September 11 for the most part, i.e. deepened U.S.-Taiwan relations, especially military relations while reining in Taiwan authority's independence activities at the same time. And as the"presidential election"in Taiwan approached, the American government strengthened its bonds with the candidates both from opposition Kuomintang and Democratic Progressive Party in order to increase its control over the Taiwan issue.The second part mainly explores the characteristics of the Bush Administration's Taiwan policy. Three key characteristics have been summarized in this thesis as follows. First, there exists an inherent contradiction in the Taiwan policy under Bush administration. Second, America strengthens its intervention in Taiwan issue during Bush's terms and plays the role as a mediator in favor of Taiwan between both sides across the Straits. Third, the development of the U.S.-Taiwan military relations surpasses their political bonds. The above characteristics carry through from beginning to end of the Taiwan policy of Bush administration.The third part analyzes the main factors affecting the Bush administration's Taiwan policy. As a specific policy, American Taiwan policy is the result of the combination of various elements. These factors can be divided into exterior and internal factors, and the former mainly refers to the international background, and the latter include the influence from the neo-conservatism, the Congress and the military industrial interest groups.The fourth part seeks to forecast the U.S. Taiwan policy and draw some experience in addressing the Taiwan issue on the basis of the above analysis. According to the practice and policy toward Taiwan of Bush and other governments, some predictions could be made in this respect. First, the U.S. government will not let go of the policy of"supporting Taiwan and containing the mainland of China". Second, America will continue its dual policy with the aim of"maintaining the status quo". Third, in order to keep the situation of Taiwan Strait in a peace, the United States will carry on with its support for a steady development of peaceful communication across the Straits to some extent. From the review and analysis of Bush administration, some principles could be derived for us in handling cross-strait relations, including maintaining the steady development in the mainland China, consolidating the strategic mutual benefit base between China and America while weakening the position of Taiwan issue in the Sino-U.S. relations, attaching great importance to the initiative of Taiwan and adhering to the stand of"peaceful unification"but never committing to rule out the use of force.