Analysis Of The Taiwan Issue In Sino-us Relations After The Cold War

Taiwan issue is the most sensitive and pivotal part in Sino-US relations. During the post-cold war period, especially in the past ten years, the conflicts between China and the USA on the issue has never decreased but increased, and sometimes went so far as to confrontation. Taiwan issue used to be a result of China Liberation War. However, due to its crucial geographical position in Asian-Pacific region and importance in international political struggles, Taiwan has been a key part of American hegemonic system in Asian-Pacific region and a proper base from which the policy of containment was launched towards China since 1950. Out of consideration for the global hegemony, the US exerted himself to maintain the "dynamic balance" of "no unification, no independence and no war" between Chinese mainland and Taiwan by implementing the "policy of containment and engagement " towards China and supporting Taiwan in military in order to maximize his benefit from the cross-Straits relations in politics, economy and strategy. The thesis consists of four parts. The first part begins with a brief introduction of the origin of Taiwan issue, and then makes thoroughgoing description of American policies against Taiwan during the period dating from the foundation of the People's Republic of China to the eve of the end of cold war. During the above-mentioned period, the American policies on Taiwan were diminished totally, thus Taiwan authorities were isolated and cut off from international supports. However, in order to prevent Chinese People from resolving Taiwan issue and reunifying the whole territory of China, the US had never ceased cultivating Taiwan authorities in politics, economy, military etc. The second part mainly elucidates the changes of the American policies on Taiwan at post-cold war period. After cold war, among the Sino-American relations Taiwan issue became increasingly critical and a tool in restraining China. Further more, numerous American advocated rearming Taiwan. Bush administration, Clinton administration and Bush jr administration all tightened up US-Taiwan relations. All previous American administrations had their respective policies on Taiwan issue. However, the general policy is to maintain "dynamic balance" of "no unification, no independence and no war" between Chinese mainland and Taiwan. The third part emphasizes the reason why the US changed the policies on Taiwan during post-cold war period. After the cold war, as the world was moving fast towards multi-polarity, the triangle of strategic structure-China, the US and the former Soviet Union, which used to be the master of international political scene, ceased to exist. Therefore, China, the most powerful socialist country in the world, who adhered to the policies of independence and anti-hegemony, had been the major objective of American global strategy that the US imposes American social ideology on other countries. Against the above-mentioned background of strategy, as American frontline position from which the policies of peaceful evolution were launched towards China, Taiwan became increasingly the focus of American strategy in Asian-Pacific region. Taiwan issue is of special importance for the US to launch his global strategy. First, restraining China from peaceful development and maintaining the US the unique superpower. Second, making profits for the American war industries on arms sales to Taiwan. Third, exerting pressure on...