One China Policy with Taiwan: Implications for Future U.S. National Security Strategy

摘要

For over three decades and six presidential administrations the United States has remained steadfast in its 'One China' policy. However, this policy is not congruent with our primary security policy document, the 2002 National Security Strategy (NSS). Understanding this complex issue requires acknowledging three competing political positions: the U.S. seeks to maintain the status quo, including a peaceful resolution between the PRO and Taiwan; the Peoples Republic of China (PRO) seeks unification with Taiwan by peaceful means; and Taiwan disputes China's claim and seeks formal international recognition as a sovereign independent nation. The time is right for a U.S. policy review. An evolving Asian strategic environment calls the current status quo policy's usefulness into question. The U.S. should not only strive for peaceful resolution to cross-Strait tension, but also support Taiwan's legitimacy as a sovereign nation. This paper will define U.S. policy through a review of current NSS employing the strategic thought process based on the use of ends, ways, and means; it will analyze the three options mentioned above using the elements of national power: diplomatic, military, and economic; and finally, it will conclude with recommendations and conclusions that support a change to the current NSS.