US-China Relations - 18. page

The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) published a report that China is investing in the U.S. Agriculture industry in order to mitigate its own food shortage. These investments reduce Beijing’s reliance on imports and help China to obtain modern agricultural technologies. The report examines the main areas of Chinese investment in the United States, including land, livestock, grain, and relevant infrastructure, such as agricultural equipment and technology. It also presents considerations for lawmakers regarding further Chinese integration in the U.S. agriculture sector.

Source: USCC, May 26, 2022
https://www.uscc.gov/research/chinas-interests-us-agriculture-augmenting-food-security-through-investment-abroad

Major Taiwanese news network Liberty Times Network (LTN) recently reported that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivered a policy speech on China on May 26 in which he criticized China for its increasing threats to Taiwan, emphasizing that the U.S. policy toward Taiwan will remain unchanged. In addition, he also said that the United States avoids seeking conflict or creating a new Cold War situation. Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said bluntly that Blinken’s speech was like diplomatic rhetoric and underestimated the threat of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Pompeo said in an interview that the Chinese Communist Party intends to cause damage to the United States, ranging from the Chinese military, cyber-attacks and economic plunder. He did not feel that Blinken’s speech made the core point, which is that the CCP is evil. If it is only seen as related to the international order, then Chinese leader Xi Jinping will recognize the U.S. signal as a green light. Some observers have expressed the belief that a cold war is real and that China wants it to get worse. America needs to wake up from the fog of peace and confront the looming threat from China.

Source: LTN, May 28, 2022
https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/world/breakingnews/3941821

Ned Price, a Spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, stated, on his official Twitter account on May 20, that the United States stated openly that China has long been misrepresenting the U.S. “One China Policy.”

“The PRC continues publicly to misrepresent U.S. policy. The United States does not subscribe to the PRC’s “one China principle,” We remain committed to our longstanding, bipartisan one China policy, guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the Three Joint Communiques, and the Six Assurances.”

On its official Twitter account on May 22, the U.S. Embassy to China published  the Chinese translation of Ned Price’s statement.

Polygraph.Info, Voice of America’s lie reporting website, explained how China misrepresented the U.S. “One China” Policy:

The 1972 Shanghai Communiqué issued at the end of then U.S. President Richard Nixon’s historic visit to China stated:

“[T]he United States acknowledges that all Chinese on either side of the Taiwan Strait maintain there is but one China and that Taiwan is a part of China. The United States does not challenge that position.”

The U.S. said it “acknowledges” the Chinese position but did not endorse it. Using similar language, a 1979 normalization communiqué establishing U.S. – China diplomatic ties also did not state affirmatively that the U.S. recognized Taiwan as part of China.

However, the Chinese side used the verb “recognize” (承认) instead of “acknowledge” (认识) in the Chinese text of the 1979 joint communiqué. The Beijing has since kept saying the United States recognizes “one China.” The Chinese text did stay faithful to the verb “acknowledge” in the 1972 Shanghai communiqué.

Sources:
1. Twitter, May 22, 2022

中华人民共和国继续公开错误描述美国的政策。美国并不同意中华人民共和国的“一个中国原则” – 我们仍然致力于我们长久以来、不分党派、在台湾关系法、三个联合公报和六项保证指引下的一个中国政策。 https://t.co/43jbaLyCvL

— 美国驻华使领馆 US MissionCN (@USA_China_Talk) May 22, 2022

2. VOA, October 11, 2021
https://www.polygraph.info/a/factcheck-one-china-policy-principle/31499875.html

Singapore’s primary Chinese language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao recently reported that a survey that  the American Chamber of Commerce in China (AmCham) released showed that, due to China’s COVID prevention measures, 58 percent of the surveyed U.S. companies in China have lowered their revenue forecasts for 2022. More than half (52 percent) of the companies have postponed or reduced investment in China. The survey was conducted from April 29 to May 5. A total of 121 U.S. companies in China participated in the survey. The results showed that core employee shortages and supply chain disruptions are currently the biggest challenges for U.S. companies in China. More than 15 percent of U.S. companies with operations in Shanghai said their operations in Shanghai have been completely closed since the outbreak in March. In terms of supply chain challenges, 61 percent of respondents cited disruptions to transportation networks as the main reason. On the side of competent workers, 49 percent of the respondents said that, due to the COVID policies, foreign talent is less likely or refuses outright to relocate to China. Some have planned to leave China permanently. Colm Rafferty, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, said in a statement, “This year’s revenue forecasts are down, but what’s more worrying is that chamber members don’t see any light at the end of the tunnel.” He mentioned that two former AmCham China presidents recently faced challenges when they traveled to China from the U.S. One completed a 22-day quarantine in Shanghai and another 15 days in Beijing before being freed. The other just completed a 43-day quarantine and lockdown in Shanghai. He then choose to fly directly back to the U.S.

Source: Lianhe Zaobao, May 10, 2022
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/china/story20220510-1271090

On May 5, the U.S. Department of State updated its bilateral relations fact sheet on Taiwan . There were many changes. Particularly worth noting is the second paragraph.

Updates: “The United States has a longstanding one China policy, which is guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the three U.S.-China Joint Communiques, and the Six Assurances. Though the United States does not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, we have a robust unofficial relationship as well as an abiding interest in maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act, the United States makes available defense articles and services as necessary to enable Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability. The United States continues to encourage the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait differences consistent with the wishes and best interests of the people on Taiwan.”

Previous version: “The United States does not support Taiwan independence. Maintaining strong, unofficial relations with Taiwan is a major U.S. goal, in line with the U.S. desire to further peace and stability in Asia. The 1979 Taiwan Relations Act provides the legal basis for the unofficial relationship between the United States and Taiwan, and enshrines the U.S. commitment to assist Taiwan in maintaining its defensive capability. The United States insists on the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait differences, opposes unilateral changes to the status quo by either side, and encourages both sides to continue their constructive dialogue on the basis of dignity and respect.”

Sources:
1. U.S. Department of State Website, May 5, 2022

U.S. Relations With Taiwan

2. Way Back Machine
https://web.archive.org/web/20190608140339/https://www.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-taiwan/