Joint¹ Communique of the United States of America and the People's Republic of China

February 28, 1972

　　1.President Richard Nixon of the United States of America visited the People's Republic of China at the invitation of Premier² Chou En-lai of the People's Republic of China from February 21 to February 28, 1972. Accompanying the President were Mrs. Nixon, U.S. Secretary of State William Rogers, Assistant to the President Dr. Henry Kissinger, and other American officials.

　　2.President Nixon met with Chairman Mao Tsetung of the Communist Party of China on February 21. The two leaders had a serious and frank exchange of views on Sino-U.S. relations and world affairs.

　　3.During the visit, extensive, earnest and frank discussions were held between President Nixon and Premier Chou En-lai on the normalization³ of relations between the United States of America and the People's Republic of China, as well as on other matters of interest to both sides. In addition, Secretary of State William Rogers and Foreign Minister Chi Peng-fei held talks in the same spirit.

　　4.President Nixon and his party visited Peking and viewed cultural, industrial and agricultural sites, and they also toured Hangchow and Shanghai where, continuing discussions with Chinese leaders, they viewed similar places of interest.

　　5.The leaders of the People's Republic of China and the United States of America found it beneficial to have this opportunity, after so many years without contact, to present candidly⁵ to one another their views on a variety of issues. They reviewed the international situation in which important changes and great upheavals⁶ are taking place and expounded⁷ their respective positions and attitudes.

　　6.The Chinese side stated: Wherever there is oppression, there is resistance. Countries want independence, nations want liberation and the people want revolution——this has become the irresistible⁸ trend of history. All nations, big or small, should be equal: big nations should not bully⁹ the small and strong nations should not bully the weak. China will never be a superpower and it opposes hegemony and power politics of any kind. The Chinese side stated that it firmly supports the struggles of all the oppressed people and nations for freedom and liberation and that the people of all countries have the right to choose their social systems according their own wishes and the right to safeguard the independence, sovereignty and territorial¹⁰ integrity of their own countries and oppose foreign aggression¹¹, interference, control and subversion¹³. All foreign troops should be withdrawn¹⁴ to their own countries. The Chinese side expressed its firm support to the peoples of Viet Nam, Laos and Cambodia in their efforts for the attainment¹⁵ of their goal and its firm support to the seven-point proposal of the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Viet Nam and the elaboration of February this year on the two key problems in the proposal, and to the Joint Declaration of the Summit Conference of the Indochinese Peoples. It firmly supports the eight-point program for the peaceful unification of Korea put forward by the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on April 12, 1971, and the stand for the abolition¹⁶ of the "U.N. Commission for the Unification and Rehabilitation¹⁷ of Korea". It firmly opposes the revival¹⁸ and outward expansion of Japanese militarism and firmly supports the Japanese people's desire to build an independent, democratic, peaceful and neutral Japan. It firmly maintains that India and Pakistan should, in accor- dance with the United Nations resolutions on the Indo- Pakistan question, immediately withdraw all their forces to their respective territories and to their own sides of the ceasefire line in Jammu and Kashmir and firmly supports the Pakistan Government and people in their struggle to preserve their independence and sovereignty and the people of Jammu and Kashmir in their struggle for the right of self-determination.

　　7.The U.S. side stated: Peace in Asia and peace in the world requires efforts both to reduce immediate¹⁹ tensions and to eliminate the basic causes of con- flict. The United States will work for a just and secure peace: just, because it fulfills²⁰ the aspira- tions of peoples and nations for freedom and progress; secure, because it removes the danger of foreign ag- gression. The United States supports individual free- dom and social progress for all the peoples of the world, free of outside pressure or intervention²¹. The United States believes that the effort to reduce ten- sions is served by improving communication between countries that have different ideologies²² so as to lessen²³ the risks of confrontation²⁴ through accident, miscalculation or misunderstanding. Countries should treat each other with mutual²⁵ respect and be willing to compete peacefully, letting performance be the ulti- mate judge. No country should claim infallibility and each country should be prepared to re-examine its own attitudes for the common good. The United States stressed that the peoples of Indochina should be al- lowed to determine their destiny without outside in- tervention; its constant primary objective has been a negotiated solution; the eight-point proposal put forward by the Republic of Viet Nam and the United States on January 27, 1972 represents a basis for the attainment of that objective; in the absence of a negotiated settlement the United States envisages²⁶ the ultimate withdrawal²⁷ of all U.S. forces from the region consistent with the aim of self-determination for each country of Indochina. The United States will maintain its close ties with and support for the Republic of Korea; the United States will support efforts of the Republic of Korea to seek a relaxation²⁸ of tension and increased communication in the Korean peninsula. The United States places the highest value on its friendly relations with Japan; it will continue to develop the existing close bonds. Consistent with the United Nations Security Council Resolution of december 21, 1971, the United States favors the continuation of the ceasefire between India and Pakistan and the withdraw- al of all military forces to within their own territo- ries and to their own sides of the ceasefire line in Jammu and Kashmir; the United States supports the right of the peoples of South Asia to shape their own future in peace, free of military threat, and without having the area become the subject of great power rivalry²⁹.

　　8.There are essential differences between China and the United States in their social systems and foreign policies. However, the two sides agreed that coun- tries, regardless of their social systems, should conduct their relations on the principles of respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states, non-aggression against other states, non-in- terference in the internal affairs of other states, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence. International disputes should be settled on this basis, without resorting to the use or threat of force. The United States and the People's Republic of China are prepared to apply these principles to their mutual relations.

　　9.With these principles of international relations in mind the two sides stated that:

　　o        progress toward the normalization of relations between China and the United States is in the inter- ests of all countries

　　o        both wish to reduce the danger of international military conflict

　　o        neither should seek hegemony in the Asia-Pacif- ic region and each is opposed to efforts by any other country or group of countries to establish such hege- mony

　　o        neither is prepared to negotiate on behalf of any third party or to enter into agreements or under- standings with the other directed at other states.

　　10.Both sides are of the view that it would be against the interests of the peoples of the world for any major country to collude with another against other countries, or for major countries to divide up the world into spheres of interest.

　　11.The two sides reviewed the long-standing serious disputes between China and the United States. The Chinese side reaffirmed its position: the Taiwan question is the crucial question obstructing³⁰ the nor- malization of relations between China and the United States; the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government of China; Taiwan is a province of China which has long been returned to the motherland; the liberation of Taiwan is China's internal affair in which no other country has the right to interfere¹²; and all U.S. forces and military installations must be withdrawn from Taiwan. The Chinese Government firmly opposes any activities which aim at the creation of "one China, one Taiwan", "one China, two governments", "two Chinas", an "independent Taiwan" or advocate that "the status of Taiwan remains³¹ to be determined³²".

　　12.The U.S. side declared: The United States ac- knowledges that all Chinese on either side of the Taiwan Strait maintain there is but one China and that Taiwan is a part of China. The United States Govern- ment does not challenge that position. It reaffirms its interest in a peaceful settlement of the Taiwan question by the Chinese themselves. With this pros- pect in mind, it affirms the ultimate objective of the withdrawal of all U.S. forces and military installa- tions from Taiwan. In the meantime, it will progres- sively reduce its forces and military installations on Taiwan as the tension in the area diminishes. The two sides agreed that it is desirable to broaden the understanding between the two peoples. To this end, they discussed specific areas in such fields as science, technology, culture, sports and journal- ism, in which people-to-people contacts and exchanges would be mutually beneficial. Each side undertakes to facilitate the further development of such contacts and exchanges.

　　13.Both sides view bilateral³³ trade as another area from which mutual benefit can be derived³⁴, and agreed that economic relations based on equality and mutual benefit are in the interest of the peoples of the two countries. They agree to facilitate the progressive development of trade between their two countries.

　　14.The two sides agreed that they will stay in con- tact⁴ through various channels, including the sending of a senior U.S. representative to Peking from time to time for concrete consultations³⁵ to further the normal- ization of relations between the two countries and continue to exchange views on issues of common inter- est.

　　15.The two sides expressed the hope that the gains achieved during this visit would open up new prospects³⁶ for the relations between the two countries. They believe that the normalization of relations between the two countries is not only in the interest of the Chinese and American peoples but also contributes to the relaxation of tension in Asia and the world.

　　16.President Nixon, Mrs. Nixon and the American party expressed their appreciation³⁷ for the gracious hospitality shown them by the Government and people of the People's Republic of China.

Joint Communique of the United States of America and the People's Republic of China   

January 1, 1979

（The communique was released on December 15, 1978, in Washington and Beijing.）

　　The United States of America and the People's Republic of China have agreed to recognize each other and to establish diplomatic relations as of January 1, 1979.

　　1.The United States of America recognizes the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal Government of China. Within this context, the people of the United States will maintain cultural, commercial, and other unofficial relations with the people of Taiwan.

　　2.The United States of America and the People's Republic of China reaffirm the principles agreed on by the two sides in the Shanghai Communique and emphasize once again that:

　　3.Both wish to reduce the danger of international military conflict.

　　4.Neither should seek hegemony in the Asia-Pacific region or in any other region of the world and each is opposed to efforts by any other country or group of countries to establish such hegemony.

　　5.Neither is prepared to negotiate on behalf of any third party or to enter into agreements or understandings with the other directed at other states.

　　6.The Government of the United States of America acknowledges the Chinese position that there is but one China and Taiwan is part of China.

　　7.Both believe that normalization of Sino-American relations is not only in the interest of the Chinese and American peoples but also contributes to the cause of peace in Asia and the world.

　　The United States of America and the People's Republic of China will exchange Ambassadors and establish Embassies on March 1, 1979.

 Joint Communique of the United States of America and the People's Republic of China

August 17, 1982

　　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 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 negotiations³⁸ 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 hamper³⁹ 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 Vice⁴⁰ 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 February28, 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 reiterates⁴¹ that the question of Taiwan is China's internal affair. The Message to Compatriots in Taiwan issued by China on January 1, 1979promulgated 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 infringing⁴² on Chinese sovereignty and territorial integrity, or interfering⁴³ in China's internal affairs, or pursuing a policy of "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan." The United States Government 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 United States arms sales to Taiwan. 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 qualitative⁴⁴ or in quantitative⁴⁵ 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 gradually to reduce its sale of arms to Taiwan, leading, over a period of time, to a final resolution. In so stating, the United States acknowledges China's consistent position regarding the thorough settlement of this issue.

　　6.In order to bring about, over a period of time, a final settlement 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 conducive⁴⁶ to the thorough settlement of this issue.

　　7.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, technological⁴⁷ and other fields and make strong, joint efforts for the continued development of relations between the Government sand peoples of the United States and China.

　　8.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