-
-
7 years after Nixon’s visit to China, Jimmy Carter grants China formal diplomatic recognition, and establishes the One China policy; severing ties with Taiwan. However, the U.S. continues informal relations through the congressional Taiwan Relations Act.
-
-
The Reagan administration is favorable towards Taiwan, issuing “Six Assurances” including a pledge to honor the Taiwan Relations Act, and not terminate arm sales to Taiwan. Despite his vocal support for Taiwan especially while campaigning, Reagan supports the One China policy. Image: Image: President Ronald Reagan and Chinese President Li Xiannian review the military honor guard in Beijing, April 26, 1984. (David Kennerly/AP Images)
-
Video - archival news report: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEsPju5-i9A
-
Students hold a demonstration in Tiananmen Square to demand democratic reforms and an end to corruption. The government sends the military to clear the square, resulting in hundreds of deaths. This incident was impactful on China’s relationship with the US; in response the U.S. stops arms sales and freezes diplomatic relation.
-
-
-
In defiance to China the Nationalist party candidate Lee Teng-hui wins by a large margin.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQhYjXXPEJM -
An accidental bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade which killed 3 Chinese reporters significantly increases tensions between the U.S. and China. Thousands of Chinese demonstrators protest.
-
-
In his influential “responsible stakeholder” speech, U.S. secretary of state Robert Zoellick encourages China to join the international community, and use it’s influence to bring other countries such as Sudan, North Korea and Iran into the international system.
-
China Increases Military Spending by 18%, the biggest jump in several years. U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney says China’s military buildup is “not consistent” with the country’s stated goal of a “peaceful rise.”
-
-
-
China surpasses Japan as the World’s second-largest Economy with a GDP of 5.88 trillion. China is on track to overtake the U.S. as the world’s number one economy by 2027.
-
The U.S. trade deficit with China rises to an all-time high of $295.5 billion in 2011; foreshadowing Trump’s rhetoric, and possible tariffs with China.
-
