An Overview on the Dilemma of “One China”: Myth Versus Reality

The Taiwan Strait and Korean Peninsula are the two potential crisis situations that could possibly lead to devastating military confrontation between the United States and China in East Asia. Yet the situations are not parallel and, in fact, appear to be fundamentally different. To say the least, both Koreas are members of the United Nations, and many countries recognize both Koreas simultaneously. Parallel diplomatic recognition of both Beijing and Taipei has not worked out so far, and Taiwan is still barred from the United Nations, mainly due to the “One China” factor. The potential crisis in the Taiwan Strait is deeply rooted in the so-called One China policy dating back to the Cold War era, and even as far back as World War II.1 Prior to the 1990s, both Beijing and Taipei insisted that there is only “One China.” 2 Each side claimed to represent all China; yet neither one could extend its jurisdiction beyond its own side of the Taiwan Strait.