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Normalization Communique (1979)

On January 1, 1979, the US and the PRC agreed to recognize each other and established diplomatic relations. Within this context, the US vowed to maintain "cultural, commercial and other unofficial relations" with the people of Taiwan. The US and the PRC reaffirmed: "The US acknowledges the Chinese position that there is but one China and Taiwan is part of China." President Carter pledged: "We will continue to have an interest in the peaceful resolution of the Taiwan issue. I have paid special attention to ensuring that normalization of relations between our country and the PRC will not jeopardize the well being of the people of Taiwan." Through this treaty, the US vows to continue to seek a peaceful resolution of Taiwan's status. The treaty guarantees that -although the US established diplomatic relations with the PRC- the people of Taiwan are not abandoned.

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Shanghai Communiqué (1972)

In 1972, the Cold War produced a rapprochement in Sino-American relations to counter the threat the USSR posed. In the Shanghai Communiqué, the US initiated a "One China Policy," although Taiwan had never been part of China. The US abandoned Taiwan and its people to clear the path for establishing diplomatic relations with the PRC, resulting in Taiwan's complete diplomatic and political isolation. The collapse of the USSR has removed the Soviet threat and rendered the old US strategy of the US playing the "China Card" obsolete. A revision of the 1972 Communiqué should be called for to grant Taiwan the international status and recognition it deserves.

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San Francisco Peace Treaty (1951)

The San Francisco Peace Treaty did not mention the beneficiary of Taiwan. It is because there is a controversy on the recipient of sovereignty -- the UK-recognized Communist in Beijing, or the US-recognized Kuomintang in Taipei at the moment. However, since the PRC was established, it has not exercised any control over Taiwan. The people of Taiwan are the only ones who have the right to claim sovereignty over Taiwan. The Treaty, therefore, provides the people of Taiwan with the legal basis for their right to self-determination.

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Charter of the United Nations (1945)

Article 1(2) of the Charter of the United Nations states: The purposes of the United Nations are: "To develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples….." It provides the people of Taiwan with the legal basis for their right of self-determination. Their quest for self-determination is guaranteed by international treaties such as the UN Charter.

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