These recommendations represent only some of the most recent proposals calling for modifications in US policy toward Taiwan. A more complete discussion would include other suggestions as well. Thus far, however, the Clinton administration has resisted all calls for a change in policy and it appears unlikely that a new president will alter US policy in any meaningful way. Both Democrats and Republicans remain committed to the "one China" principle, and their respective party platforms do not endorse a major shift in policy.
Taiwan's recent election prompted the US to call on both Beijing and Taipei to put aside "old approaches "and show some" flexibility and creativity "in cross-strait relations." Officials stress that the old, anachronistic policies of the past must now be discarded. Ironically, however, there appears to be no flexibility or change in the US' policy toward the Taiwan issue. The US clings stubbornly to policies developed during the 1970s and early 1980s. The US should not jettison its long-standing "one China" policy or abandon the policy of strategic ambiguity toward Taiwan's defenses. It is likely that any move of this sort would provoke a highly negative reaction from the PRC and jeopardize peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
It is clear, however, that the time has arrived for Washington to revisit the issue of whether there might be something that it could do to promote cross-strait dialogue and negotiations. The State Department insists that it will not do more to promote discussions between Taipei and Beijing because neither side has ever asked the US "to mediate or engage in any other active role." This is incorrect. Taiwan officials are now calling on Washington to do more -- perhaps even host a cross-strait peace summit. Furthermore, PRC officials have long suggested that the US could do more to promote a resolution of the Taiwan question.
It certainly is not in the US' best interest to coerce Taipei or Beijing into a settlement. And the US should avoid becoming entangled in complex and drawn out negotiations aimed at a resolution of their differences. At the same time, however, the time may have finally arrived for Washington to follow its own advice and show some flexibility and "new thinking" in matters relating to Taiwan. Studying Lu's proposal -- the call for Washington to host a cross-strait summit might be a step in the right direction.
Dennis V. Hickey is a professor of political science at Southwest Missouri State University and author of the book, Armies of East Asia: Japan, China, Taiwan and the Koreas.
RSS