JOINT COMMUNIQUE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83B00551R000200010003-4
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 21, 2007
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: August 17, 1982
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2007/08/21: CIA-RDP83B00551 R000200010003-4
Office of the Press Secretary
For Release at 7:00 am EDT
August 17, 1982
JOINT COMMUNIQUE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
AND THE PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA
1. In-the Joint Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic
Relations on January 1, 1979, issued by the Government of the
United States of America and the Government of the People's
Republic of China, the United States of America recognized the
Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal
government of China, and it acknowledged the Chinese position
that there is but one China and Taiwan- is part of China. Within
that context, the two sides agreed that the people of the United
States would continue to maintain cultural, commercial, and. other
unofficial relations with the people of Taiwan. On this basis,
relations between the United States and China were normalized.
2. The question of United States arms sales to Taiwan was not
settled in the course of negotiations between the two countries
on establishing diplomatic relations. The two:-sides held differing
positions, and the Chinese side stated that it would raise the issue
again following normalization. Recognizing that this issue would
seriously hamper the development of United States-China relations,
they have held further discussions on it, during and since the
meetings between President Ronald Reagan and Premier Zhao Ziyang and
between Secretary of State Alexander M. Haig, Jr., and Vice Premier
and Foreign Minister Huang Hua in October, 1981.
3. Respect for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
and non-interference in each other's internal affairs constitute
the fundamental principles guiding United States-China relations.
These principles were confirmed in the Shanghai Communique of
February 28, 1972, and reaffirmed in the Joint Communique on the
Establishment of Diplomatic Relations which came-into effect on
January 1, 1979. Both sides emphatically state that these principles
continue to govern all aspects of their relations.
4. The Chinese government reiterates that the question of Taiwan
is China's internal affair. The Message to Compatriots in
Taiwan issued by China on January 1, 1979, promulgated a fundamental
policy of striving for peaceful reunification of the Motherland.
The Nine-Point Proposal put forward by China on September 30, 1981,
represented a further major effort under this fundamental policy
to strive for a peaceful solution to the Taiwan question.
5. The United States Government attaches great importance to its
relations with China, and reiterates that it has no intention
of infringing on Chinese sovereignty and territorial integrity, or
interfering in China's internal affairs, or pursuing a policy of
"Two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan." The United States Govern-
ment understands and appreciates the Chinese policy of striving for
a peaceful resolution of the Taiwan question as indicated in China's
Message to Compatriots in Taiwan issued on January 1, 1979, and the
Nine-Point Proposal put forward by China on September 30, 1981. The
new situation which has emerged with regard to the Taiwan question
also provides favorable conditions for the settlement of United
States-China differences over the question of United States arms
sales to..Taiwan. .
Approved For Release 2007/08/21: CIA-RDP83B00551 R000200010003-4
 Approved For Release 2007/08/21: CIA-RDP83B00551 R000200010003-4
..-Having in mind the foregoing statements of-both-sides, the
United States Government states that it does not seek to carry
.out a long-term policy of arms sales to Taiwan, that its arms
sales to Taiwan will not exceed, either in qualitative or in
quantitative terms, the level of those supplied in recent years
since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United
States and China, and that it intends to reduce gradually its sales
of arms to Taiwan, leading over a period of time to a final resolu-
tion. In so stating, the United States acknowledges China's
consistent position regarding the thorough settlement of this issue
7. In order to bring about, over a period of time, a final settle-
ment of the question of United States arms sales to Taiwan,
which is an issue rooted in history, the two governments will
make every effort to adopt measures and create conditions conducive
to the thorough settlement of this issue.
8. The development of United States-China relations is not only
in the interests of the two peoples but also conducive to
peace and stability in the world. The two sides are determined, on
the principle of equality and mutual benefit, to strengthen their,
ties in the economic, cultural, educational, scientific, technological
and other fields and make strong, joint efforts for the continued
development of relations between the governments and peoples of the
United States and China.
9. In order to bring about the healthy development of United States-
China relations, maintain world peace and oppose aggression and
expansion, the two governments reaffirm the principles agreed on by
the two sides in the Shanghai Communique and the Joint Communique
on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations. The two sides will
maintain contact and hold appropriate consultations on bilateral
and international issues of common interest.
Approved For Release 2007/08/21: CIA-RDP83B00551 R000200010003-4