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Jimmy Carter's Presidency
President Jimmy Carter was the 39th president of the United States (1977-81) and formalized the initial relations with China in 1979. https://www.biography.com/people/jimmy-carter-9240013 -
One China Policy
On January 1st, 1979, during the administration of President Jimmy Carter, the United States issued the One China Policy where they recognized the People´s Republic of China (PRC) as the sole legal government of China and established that Taiwan was part of China. A month after, Deng Xiaopeng became the first leader of the PRC to make an official visit to the United States. One-Policy Explained: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-38285354
P. Credits: James Fryer, Economist -
Taiwan Relations Act
In April 1979, the Taiwan Relations Act was approved by the U.S., allowing the U.S. and Taiwain to maintain cultural, commercial, and other unofficial relations without directly violating the agreements with China (One-China policy). Included in the exchanges of resources between the U.S. and Taiwan, was the provision of defensive arms. https://www.ait.org.tw/our-relationship/policy-history/key-u-s-foreign-policy-documents-region/taiwan-relations-act/ P. Credits: taiwanrelationsact.com -
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Ronald Reagan Presidency
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Six Assurances
Following President Jimmy Carter, the Reagan´s administration issued the ‘Six Assurances’ which honored the Taiwan Relations Act and declared no set date for terminating arm sales with Taiwan. For more information: https://www.heritage.org/asia/report/president-reagans-six-assurances-taiwan-and-their-meaning-today P. from: https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs695/ -
Third Joint Communique
Commercial exchanges between the U.S. and Taiwan weakened the relations with China and as such, in 1982 the ‘thirds joint communique’ was signed with the PRC to reaffirm the One China policy and show intentions for improved Beijing-Washington relations as a solution over Soviet expansionism. In April 1984, the U.S. government allowed Beijing to make purchases of U.S. military equipment. -
Bilateral Commercial Expansion
After almost 20 years of established relations between the U.S. and China, by 1986 more than 300 U.S companies had established in China and signed contracts valued at more than 2.5 billion dollars. Furthermore, during these years China began to engage with the international community by joining the IMF, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank. P. Credits: IMF News (http://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2016/09/29/AM16-NA093016IMF-Adds-Chinese-Renminbi-to-Special-Drawing-Rights-Basket) -
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George H. W. Bush Presidency
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Tiananmen Square Massacre
In the spring of 1989 thousands of students protested in Tiananmen Square for government accountability, transparency, and democracy, On June 4, 1989, the People’s Liberation Army was sent to clear the square with open fire, resulting in the death of a few thousand students. P. from: https://www.spectator.co.uk/2014/05/tiananmen-exiles-by-rowena-xinoqing-he-review/ -
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Bill Clinton Presidency
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Belgrade Embassy Bombing
On May 7, 1999, NATO mistakenly bombed the Chinese embassy in Belgrade. President Bill Clinton immediately apologized and stated nature of the accident, but the media delayed the reporting of the apology and thousands of Chinese citizens protested by attacking U.S. property. P. from: https://fair.org/take-action/action-alerts/u-s-media-overlook-expose-on-chinese-embassy-bombing/ -
U.S.-China Relations Act of 2000
President Bill Clinton signed the U.S.-China Relations Act of 2000 where the U.S. granted permanent trade relations with Beijing and catalyzed the addition of China to the World Trade Organization in 2001. More info. on bill: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/106/hr4444/text P. from: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/05/us/politics/as-voting-for-successor-nears-obama-seeks-to-keep-the-spotlight.html -
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George W. Bush Presidency
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Hainan Island Incident
In April 2001, a U.S. plane collided with a Chinese fighter and made an emergency landing on Chinese territory. The incident resulted in the death of the Chinese pilot and the detainment of the 24 crew members of the U.S. planes. Twelve days after, Chinese authorities released the crew and President George w. Bush sent his condolences over the death of the Chinese pilot and apologized for the emergency landing. More on this: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/china-likely-saw-us-secrets/ -
China's economic rise.
While the U.S. was utilizing its energy and resources towards its internal and external affairs, China’s economic expansion and international prestige created a structural change in the Sino-US relation. China’s influence in the Asia-Pacific posed a strategic threat to the US which had to be addressed to ensure common interests were kept in line. P. from: http://santiagotimes.cl/2017/07/18/chinas-gdp-sees-6-9-growth-in-first-half-of-2017/ -
Anti-Independence of Taiwan.
On December 9, 2003, Premier Wen Jiabao and U.S. President George W. Bush had an interview where they spoke positively about the relation between the two nations. When asked about Taiwan's defensive referendum to be held in the next march, President George W. Bush expressed the opposition of the United States towards the issue and showing the U.S. commitment on China’s most concerned issue. P. from: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/en/doc/2003-12/10/content_288832.htm -
China becomes largest U.S. foreign debt holder.
In September 2008, China surpasses Japan and becomes the largest holder of U.S. debt (around 600 billion). The evident interdependence between the two nations becomes a concern due to the financial crisis the global economy was facing at the moment (the great recession). P. from: https://dailyreckoning.com/trade-matter-survival-china/ -
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Barack Obama Presidency
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China is the second largest economy
In August 2010, China surpasses Japan as the world’s second-largest economy. And according to financial reports, China is expected to surpass the US as the world’s number one economy by 2027. The following year at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, President Barack Obama announced the Trans-Pacific Partnership-a multinational free trade agreement. P. from: https://www.cagle.com/olle-johansson/2010/08/second-largest-economy -
Joint Climate Announcement
During the 2014’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit, President Barack Obama and President Xi Jinping emitted join statement on climate change. The two nations pledged to reduce carbon emissions and work together towards the conservation of the planet. More information: https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2014/11/11/us-china-joint-announcement-climate-change P. from: https://www.cfr.org/timeline/us-relations-china -
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Donald Trump's Presidency
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Xin Jinping for life
As of March 2018, the National People’s Congress approved the removal of the two-term limit on the Chinese presidency, effectively allowing Presidente Xi’s to remain in power for life. In addition to the changes in the constitution, President Xi already serves as the party’s general secretary and military chief, positions with no term limits.
More information: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-43361276 P. from: https://tinyurl.com/yclp9zpp
