FOREIGN
RELATIONS
The People's Republic of China replaced Taiwan at the United Nations in 1971, and Taiwan's diplomatic position has continued to erode, as many countries changed their official recognition from Taipei to Beijing. As of September 2008, Taiwan had formal diplomatic ties with 23 countries. At the same time, Taiwan has cultivated informal ties with most countries to offset its diplomatic isolation and to expand its economic relations. Many nations have set up unofficial organizations to carry out commercial and other relations with Taiwan. Including its official overseas missions and its unofficial representative and/or trade offices, Taiwan is represented in 122 countries. During the administration of President Chen, Taiwan lobbied strongly for admission into the United Nations and other international organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO). The P.R.C. opposes Taiwan's membership in such organizations, most of which require statehood for membership, because it considers Taiwan to be a part of its territory, not a separate sovereign state. The administration of President Ma has called for a "diplomatic truce" with Beijing, under which Taiwan would retain its existing diplomatic allies but not seek to win over countries that recognize the P.R.C. The Ma administration also hopes to expand Taiwan's "international space," increasing its participation in international organizations, such as the WHO.
U.S.-TAIWAN
RELATIONS
On January 1, 1979, the United States changed its diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing. In the U.S.-PRC Joint Communiqué that announced the change, the United States recognized the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China and acknowledged the Chinese position that there is but one China and Taiwan is part of China. The Joint Communiqué also stated that within this context the people of the United States will maintain cultural, commercial, and other unofficial relations with the people on Taiwan.
On April 10, 1979, President Carter signed into law the Taiwan Relations Act
(TRA), which created domestic legal authority for the conduct of unofficial
relations with Taiwan. U.S. commercial, cultural, and other interaction with the
people on Taiwan is facilitated through the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT),
a private nonprofit corporation. The Institute has its headquarters in the
Washington, DC area and has offices in Taipei and Kaohsiung. It is authorized to
issue visas, accept passport applications, and provide assistance to U.S.
citizens in Taiwan. A counterpart organization, the Taipei Economic and Cultural
Representative Office in the United States (TECRO), has been established by the
Taiwan authorities. It has its headquarters in Taipei, the representative branch
office in Washington, DC, and 12 other Taipei Economic and Cultural Offices
(TECO) in the continental U.S. and Guam. The Taiwan Relations Act (TRA)
continues to provide the legal basis for the unofficial relationship between the
U.S. and Taiwan, and enshrines the U.S. commitment to assisting Taiwan maintain
its defensive capability.
Following de-recognition, the United States terminated its Mutual Defense Treaty with Taiwan. However, the United States has continued the sale of appropriate defensive military equipment to Taiwan in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act, which provides for such sales and which declares that peace and stability in the area are in U.S. interests. Sales of defensive military equipment are also consistent with the 1982 U.S.-P.R.C. Joint Communiqué.
The United States position on Taiwan is reflected in the Three Communiqués and the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA). The U.S. insists on the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait differences and encourages dialogue to help advance such an outcome. The U.S. does not support Taiwan independence. President Bush stated on December 9, 2003 that the United States is opposed to any attempt by either side to unilaterally alter the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. While the United States welcomes recent exchanges that enhance channels of communication between leaders in Beijing and Taipei, the United States urges Beijing and Taipei to further advance cross-Strait cooperation and dialogue, including direct discussions between the authorities in Beijing and elected leaders in Taipei.
U.S. commercial ties with Taiwan have been maintained and have expanded since
1979. Taiwan continues to enjoy Export-Import Bank financing, Overseas Private
Investment Corporation guarantees, normal trade relations (NTR) status, and
ready access to U.S. markets. In recent years, AIT commercial dealings with
Taiwan have focused on expanding market access for American goods and services.
AIT has been engaged in a series of trade discussions, which have focused on
protection of intellectual property rights and market access for U.S. goods and
services.
Maintaining diplomatic relations with the P.R.C. has been recognized to be in the long-term interest of the United States by seven consecutive administrations; however, maintaining strong, unofficial relations with Taiwan also a major U.S. goal, in line with our desire to further peace and stability in Asia. In keeping with our one China policy, the U.S. does not support Taiwan independence, but it does support Taiwan's membership in appropriate international organizations, such as the World Trade Organization, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, and the Asian Development Bank, where statehood is not a requirement for membership. In addition, the U.S. supports appropriate opportunities for Taiwan's voice to be heard in organizations where its membership is not possible.
DEFENSE
In proportion to its population, Taiwan still maintains a large military
establishment. Defense expenditures accounted for NTD 304.9 billion
(approximately U.S. $9.5 billion), 2.43% of GDP in 2007; and the 2008 central
budget proposal increased defense expenditures to NTD 334 billion (approximately
U.S. $10.5 billion), 2.94% of GDP. The military's primary mission is the defense
of Taiwan against the P.R.C., which is seen as the predominant threat and which
has not renounced the use of force against Taiwan. Taiwan's armed forces were
reduced as part of a reform initiative from 1997 to 2001, going from about
450,000 to 385,000, with further reductions since then bringing the total force
level down to just under 275,000. Registered reservists reportedly totaled
3,870,000 in 1997. Conscription remains universal for qualified males between
the ages of 18 and 30. In 2007 the length of conscription service was dropped
from 16 to 12 months, with a view to moving toward an all-volunteer force over
the next several years. For qualified applicants, alternative service is
available in police and fire departments and public clinics, as well as through
teaching in some rural schools. Applicants with advanced degrees may qualify for
National Defense Service, consisting of reserve officer training followed by
four years of work in a government or academic research institution.
Taiwan's armed forces are equipped with weapons obtained primarily from the
United States. In recent years, however, Taiwan also has procured some weapons
from other Western nations and has stressed military "self-reliance," which has resulted in the growth of indigenous military production in certain fields. In 2007 Taiwan's legislature approved funding for certain defensive weapons systems the U.S. agreed to sell Taiwan in 2001 and earlier. These included the Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC-2 upgrade) missile defense system, P-3C maritime patrol aircraft, and a preliminary study of diesel-electric submarines. These systems would give Taiwan key capabilities in missile defense and anti-submarine warfare to remedy vulnerabilities in countering the P.R.C.'s accelerated military modernization. Taiwan adheres to the principles of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and has stated that it does not intend to produce nuclear weapons.
U.S. Representative Offices
American Institute in Taiwan
Washington Headquarters
Suite 1700, 1700 North Moore Street
Arlington, VA 22209
Tel: 703-525-8474
Fax: 703-841-1385
American Institute in Taiwan
Taipei Office
No. 7, Lane 134, Hsin Yi Road
Section 3, Taipei, Taiwan
Tel: 011-886-2-2162-2000
Fax: 011-886-2-2162-2239
American Institute in Taiwan
Kaohsiung Office
5F, No. 2, Chung Cheng 3rd Road
Kaohsiung, Taiwan 800
Tel: 011-886-7-238-7744
Fax: 011-886-7-238-5237
Taiwan Representative Office
Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO)
4201 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016-2137
Tel: 202-895-1800
Fax: 202-895-0825
