One-China Policy and Cross-Strait Relations
The One-China Policy is the diplomatic acknowledgment by countries that there is only one Chinese government. The US "acknowledges" (not "recognises") the Chinese position that Taiwan is part of China, a carefully worded distinction. The People's Republic of China considers Taiwan a breakaway province and has not renounced the use of force to achieve reunification. Taiwan — officially the Republic of China (ROC) — has its own government, military, currency, and democratic elections. The status quo across the Taiwan Strait, maintained since 1949, has been a central axis of US–China strategic competition.
- PRC position: Taiwan is an inalienable part of China; cross-strait reunification is a core interest
- US position: "Acknowledges" but does not "recognise" PRC's claim; opposes unilateral change to status quo
- Three US–China Joint Communiqués: 1972, 1979, 1982 (form the basis of the relationship)
- Taiwan Strait: approximately 180 km wide; one of the world's most commercially critical straits
- India's interest: Taiwan Strait stability is vital for Indian trade (35–40% of Indian trade passes through the South China Sea/Taiwan Strait corridor)
● Tracked since March 13, 2026 · last seen May 22, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
See it in today’s brief.
Daily current affairs with every static concept explained in place.
Read the daily brief