Beijing´s Position

Taipei´s Position

US Position

People´s Republic of China is sole legal government representing all China; "Republic of China" on Taiwan has no status and its government is local authority

Taiwan must uphold principle by acknowledging that China´s sovereignty and territory are inalienable, but talks possible under equal footing between groups of both sides

Talking of seperate states, governments or political entities is violation of "One China" principle, as is trying to expand Taiwan´s diplomatic space

Acceptance of "One China" principle refers only to possible future China after reunification, which is longterm goal. Meanwhile ties best described as "special state-to-state"

Taipei and Beijing should agree to differ on meaning of "One China" while holding talks of practical issues

Taiwan is nation with independent sovereignty, known as "Republic of China"; Taiwan and PRC do not have mutual ownership, sovereignty or jurisdiction

Goal is to "normalise" ties between Taipei and Beijing, although relations will be more special because of similar culture and ancestry

Any change to Taiwan´s status must have consent of island´s people

Washington pursues "One China" policy based on Sino-US communiqués in which US "acknowlegded" that here is one China and Taiwan is a part of China. The US recognises PRC government as sole legal government of China, but maintains unofficial relations with Taipei

In 1998 Clinton said Washington did not support independence for Taiwan, or "Two Chinas", or "one Taiwan, one China", and US did not believe Taiwan should be member of any organisation for which statehood was a requirement

Source: Mure Dickie, Financial Times, 29.03.2000, p. 4