George W. Bush's position on

One China Policy: It is the policy for each political entity to recognize that Taiwan is a part of China, and the People's Republic China is the official presence for China.

China's MFN Status: The U.S. extends most-favored-nation trading status to China and it has been renewed every year. http://www.wcit.org/resources/publications/

Taiwan Relations Act: On March 29, 1979, the U.S. Congress enacted the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), which has served as the basis of the new relationship between the ROC and the U.S. The U.S. government has for many years continued to provide Taiwan with sufficient defensive weapons in accordance with the TRA so as to preserve security and stability in the Western Pacific region. It helps the U.S. to have relationships with Taiwan and protect Taiwan's interests under one China policy. link

Description of candidate's position: Bush supports MFN and thinks it can make China become an open and productive partner for America. He is opposed to "any unilateral decision by either China or Taiwan to change the status quo." link

Quotation from the candidate: "The United States government's policy is one China, based upon the three communiqués and the Taiwan Relations Act. We oppose any unilateral decision by either China or Taiwan to change the status quo. And the comments and actions made by the leader of Taiwan indicate that he may be willing to make decisions unilaterally to change the status quo, which we oppose." (December 9, 2003) link "Open trade means more American jobs." (March 30, 2004) link

Assessment of the proposal:

Positive: Senior Research Fellow for Homeland Defense andNational Security, Peter Brookes said, "Declaratory policy should be that there should be no unilateral change in the status quo by either party. There should be no use of force by either side. Washington should maintain robust diplomatic relations with Taipei, because Taiwanese actions affect American interests. We should encourage dialogue across the Strait. There should be no U.S. government support for Taiwanese independence. There should be the expectation that Taiwan will act responsibly. Further, we should assist in finding opportunities for greater international representation for the Taiwanese people. And finally, we should encourage political liberalization on the Mainland." from the Heritage Foundation.

Negative: Charles Freeman said in the testimony to the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission: in 2001, 2002, and again in 2003, the administration took only limited and partial action against China. The administration's own United States Trade Representative (USTR) admitted that 2003 was "a year in which China's WTO implementation efforts lost a significant amount of momentum."

Comparison: Both of them support "one China" policy and TRA, but they have different views about the trade relationship with China. Kerry thinks that Bush has yielded too much to China, but Bush thinks it can increase the interests of both countries. Also, Kerry said, "Record trade deficit with China, up 28 percent from last year" and "When it comes to China and defending Americans jobs, this White House is all talk and no action." He thinks China hurts the US economy.

Link to Kerry's issue page