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The United States and Taiwan enjoy a robust unofficial relationship. The 1979 U.S.-P.R.C. Joint Communique switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing. In the Joint Communique, the United States recognized the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China, acknowledging the Chinese position that there is but one China and Taiwan is part of China. The Joint Communique also stated that the people of the United States will maintain cultural, commercial, and other unofficial relations with the people of Taiwan. The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) is responsible for implementing U.S. policy toward Taiwan.

On January 1, 1979, the United States and the Peoples' Republic of China (PRC) established diplomatic relations, almost thirty years after the Communist government came to power in 1949. The process of establishing diplomatic ties with the United States began in February of 1972 when President Nixon visited China. That visit produced "The Shanghai Communiqué," which was an acknowledgement by Beijing (the capital of the PRC) and Washington that the two countries faced obstacles to establishing diplomatic relations, but also that they would work toward "normalizing" their relations.

Today I wish to speak about why U.S.-Taiwan relations have sunk to such a low point. Personally, this deterioration is a sad outcome for me since I have spent much of my professional career trying to promote the opposite: the best possible relations between our two countries. That was a specific ambition of mine during the five years that I served as chairman of the American Institute in Taiwan. For example, during my first visit as AIT chairman in 1997 I took the initiative to invite then-Mayor Chen Shui-bian to come to Washington D.C. because I believed that if there was an even modest chance that Mr. Chen might become Taiwan’s president it was in America’s interest to broaden and deepen communication with him and his camp. Both the Clinton and Bush Administrations worked hard, I believe, to have good relations with the Chen Administration, and they succeeded for a time. So the turn for the worse is a matter of personal regret.

This is the realm of values: ideology, social systems, and human rights. For a long time, it has been difficult for China and the United States to adjust and compromise with regards to their key political interests – the source of most of their conflicts. Although China partially introduced a market economy following its “reform and opening up” policy in 1978, this was no more than a pragmatic move to save the regime.

Stanley Kao, the Taiwanese envoy to the United States, told a crowd at a parade in Washington D.C. this weekend that Taipei sees America as a “natural partner and ally” and said his government hoped to expand ties with the White House.

With Donald Trump becoming US president, US-China relations may see turbulent times ahead, though the Chinese year of the Rooster - which began on January 28 - signifies confidence according to tradition.

Beijing has called on Washington to bar Taiwan representatives from attending US President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on Friday, warning that the “so-called delegation” could “disturb or undermine Sino-US relations.”

TAIPEI —
Diplomatically isolated Taiwan looks forward to more military cooperation and high-level visits from the United States under Donald Trump after he takes office as U.S. president Friday, though both sides are likely to proceed carefully to avoid a backlash from China.

Taiwanese delegation will attend new president’s swearing-in, prompting Beijing to warn it could ‘disturb or undermine Sino-US relations’

On Friday, the Financial Times confirmed that U.S. President-elect Donald J. Trump had moved forward on a planned phone call with President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan.

The United States has long been one of Taiwan’s strongest allies. But how long will Taiwan be able to exist in its current state of diplomatic limbo? What does it mean for the U.S.? Loften Deprez tells us what to expect from U.S.-Taiwan relations in the years to come.

Donald Trump continues to make and receive calls from world leaders, many believe on unsecured telephone lines, but the president-elect just caused a major, indeed "historic" diplomatic crisis that may have long-lasting negative effects.

Taiwan has sent a delegation to attend U.S. President Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony, despite objections from China. The head of the delegation advised China not to be petty. China, however, is on guard. It considers Taiwan a province separated by the Chinese civil war. As a result, it strongly objects to Taiwan having any kind of diplomatic relations with other countries.

It's either thoughtful, it's either inexperience or it's he's trying to line his own pockets, says Loyola Law School Professor Jessica Levinson.

Trump Tells Pena Nieto He Might Send Troops to Mexico: AP

Before his inauguration, Trump spoke to the president of Taiwan, breaking long-standing U.S. policy and irritating China. His temporary ban on refugees and travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries, aimed at reviewing screening procedures to lessen the threat of extremist attacks, has caused consternation around the world.

What have we learned from Donald Trump’s now infamous decision to chat by phone with Taiwan’s president?
First, Trump wants the world to know he means to do things his own way. He has refused the intelligence briefings always offered a president-elect, a sign that he doesn’t value information or insight from the current foreign policy and intelligence establishment. As for China, Trump doesn’t care what was agreed in the past. While surrogates work carefully to explain what he does and doesn’t mean, the man himself has made clear he’ll make waves whenever he wants.

WASHINGTON -- American diplomats in four majority-Muslim nations have sent cables this week to the State Department warning that U.S. allies fear jihadists will use President Trump’s temporary travel ban on people from seven nations, and all refugees, as a propaganda tool, and that Western installations in the Middle East could face retaliation.