Taiwan-US Relations

US Rejects China’s Narrative on Taiwan's Status From WWII-Era Documents

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By Dolphine Chen/Alan Lu

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The American Institute in Taiwan, Washington’s de facto embassy, says Beijing mischaracterizes World War II–era documents like the Cairo Declaration and Treaty of San Francisco to claim Taiwan as part of China.

US Rejects China’s WWII Narrative on Taiwan Status

 

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REPORTER:  

The U.S. is stepping into the debate on Taiwan’s sovereignty.

 

The American Institute in Taiwan, Washington’s de facto embassy, says Beijing mischaracterizes World War II–era documents like the Cairo Declaration and the Treaty of San Francisco to claim Taiwan as part of China.

 

It was responding to media questions about Chinese pressure on Taiwan and called Beijing’s narrative false, saying none of those documents determined Taiwan’s political status.

 

Japan gave up its claims to Taiwan in the 1951 San Francisco Peace Treaty, but left sovereignty unresolved. Beijing, not a signatory of that pact, calls the treaty “illegal and invalid,” paving the way for its claims on Taiwan.

 

Responding to AIT, Taiwan’s foreign ministry also accused China of distorting historical narratives.

 

Chen Yi-chun (DEPUTY SPOKESPERSON, FOREIGN MINISTRY):  

China’s false legal claims aim to isolate Taiwan from the international community and limit other countries’ sovereign choices to engage with Taiwan. It’s all part of a broader strategy.

 

REPORTER:  

In Taiwan, reactions to AIT’s remarks have been mixed.

 

The Kuomintang-friendly Ma Ying-jeou Foundation released a statement saying AIT’s new position contradicts Washington’s long-standing policy, which emphasizes no change in its stance on Taiwan’s sovereignty.

 

The organization added that shifting to a “Taiwan status undetermined” view threatens Taiwan’s security, as China hasn't ruled out the use of force to take Taiwan.

 

But Democratic Progressive Party lawmaker Wang Ting-yu told reporters Washington is responding to China’s increased legal warfare tactics aimed at isolating Taiwan.

 

REPORTER:  

Over the past few years, the U.S. has been emphasizing that its policy on cross-strait relations has not changed.

 

In 2022, the state department said the following:

 

Edward Price (THEN-SPOKESPERSON, US STATE DEPARTMENT):  

One China policy has not changed. We don't take a position on sovereignty, but the policy that has been at the crux of our approach to Taiwan since 1979 remains in effect today. What we want to see continue, what we want to see preserved is the status quo.

 

REPORTER:  

And even for the recent statement, Former AIT Chairman Richard Bush told TaiwanPlus that it remains aligned with the U.S. government’s stance on Taiwan’s legal status.

 

And analysts say AIT’s statement isn’t exactly rare but expresses the U.S.’s long-standing position on the Taiwan Strait more explicitly.

 

Wang Hung-jen (PROFESSOR, NATIONAL CHENG KUNG UNIVERSITY):  

The US position has not changed in any way so the reason for choosing this timing I believe is mainly because China has, over the past period, misled the international community and engaged in widespread propaganda.

 

REPORTER:  

The timing of AIT’s remarks is also noteworthy, coming just after China’s massive parade marking the end of World War II, and Taiwan’s recent exclusion from the Pacific Islands Forum.

 

Dolphine Chen and Alan Lu for TaiwanPlus.