Planning Challenges Posed by U.S. Adherence to a 'One China' Policy

摘要

The basis of U.S.-China relations is the 'one China' principle. Adherence by the U.S. to a deliberately ambiguous 'one China' policy challenges theater-strategic planning in important ways. The feasibility, adequacy, and acceptability of theater-strategic plans involving China will depend on finding ways to solve these important planning challenges. Important planning challenges occur principally as a result of Taiwan's ambiguous international position and legal status and the constraints and restraints placed on theater-strategic planners by the 'one China' policy's restrictions on official contact between the U.S. and Taiwan. Establishing the justification and rationale for the use of U.S. military force in planning appropriate U.S. responses to a Chinese attack on Taiwan and providing for how plans are to integrate efforts with regional allies and Taiwan in order to achieve fundamental considerations such as unity of purpose/effort, objective and economy of force are two of the most important challenges that must be solved.