One China Principle Basis For Sino-U.S. Ties: Haig

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, February 20, 2002

One China Principle Basis For Sino-U.S. Ties: Haig

Former U.S. secretary of state Alexander Haig said on Wednesday that the one China principle has been the "basis for the Sino-U.S. relationship since 1972," when the two countries signed a historic joint communique that paved the way for the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1979.

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Peaceful Reunification Under 'One China, Two System' Formula

He made the remarks in an exclusive written interview days before President George W. Bush's visit to China on February 21-22. February also sees the 30th anniversary of the signing of the 1972 Shanghai Communique.

"I am confident that the Chinese people on both sides of the (Taiwan) Strait realize that there are significant benefits to a peaceful evolution of the reunification issue, just as the world has seen the historic evolution of Hong Kong and Macao under a 'one China, two systems' formula," he said.

Haig said the Taiwan issue, as well as its eventual reunification with the mainland, is best left to a more open dialogue between the people on both sides of the strait.

Shanghai Communique, Touchstone of Bi-relationship

On the importance of the Shanghai Communique, signed when late U.S. president Richard Nixon made his historic visit to China in February 1972, Haig said its critical words were that the United States "acknowledged that all Chinese on both sides on the Taiwan Strait maintain that there is but one China and that Taiwan is part of China."

Relationship to Weather Inevitable Differences

That, "to this day, must serve as the touchstone of the relationship" between the two countries, he added.

Haig said this principle, affirmed by six succeeding U.S. presidents after Nixon, has enabled the relationship to weather the inevitable differences that are to be expected between two great countries.

Haig served as deputy national security advisor to then U.S. president Richard Nixon He was head of an advance group that prepared for Nixon's historic visit to China in 1972 and one of the important participants in the making of the Shanghai Communique the same year. He served as secretary of state in 1980- 82.

Bush's China Trip to Boost U.S.-China Ties: Haig

Former U.S. secretary of state Alexander Haig said on Wednesday that President George W. Bush's visit to China will give leaders of the two countries an opportunity to look at a future that will build upon the principles embodied in the landmark Shanghai Communique.
Haig praised China for its role in the campaign against terrorism and its contribution to peace on the Korean Peninsula, the crackdown on drug smuggling and the safeguarding of world peace and security.

Alexander Haig

State of Residency: Connecticut
Appointment: Jan 22, 1981
Entry on Duty: Jan 22, 1981
Termination of Appointment: Jul 5, 1982
Presidency: Reagan

As Secretary of State

Second military leader to head the Department of State
Helped formulate a policy opposing the expansion of Soviet influence
Mediated dispute between Britain and Argentinians over the small British force stationed on the Falkland Islands (the Malvinas)
After repeated disputes about the extent of his authority in foreign affairs, he resigned

Foreign Travels of Secretary of State Alexander Haig

Born: December 2, 1924
Married: Patricia Antionette Fox
Education: U.S. Military Academy; Georgetown University
Occupation: Military

Government Positions

Aide to General Douglas MacArthur in Japan
Staff officer in the Department of the Army at the Pentagon in 1962
Special Assistant to Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara in 1964
Went to Vietnam as a batallion commander in an infantry unit; awarded the Distinguished Service Cross; promoted to colonel
Military assistant to Henry Kissinger in 1969
Deputy assistant to the President for national security affairs 1971
Nixon appointed him for several foreign assignments, including Vietnam peace talks in Paris
Nixon made him Army vice chief of staff with rank of four-star general and later became Chief of the White House staff
President Ford appointed Haig supreme allied commander of NATO forces in Europe 1974-1979; he later resigned from this post

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