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Major events on Sino-American Relations’ 1912: Jan. 1 ’ The establishment of the Republic of China and Dr. Sun Yat-sen was elected the Provisional President of the Republic of China. 1913: May 2 ’ The U.S. recognition of the Government of the Republic of China. 1927: Jan. 27 ’ U.S. Secretary of State Kellogg's statement expressed sympathy with Chinese nationalism and the American policy of non-interference in Chinese internal affairs. 1941: Dec. 9 ’ China signed a stabilization Fund Agreement with the U.S. The U.S. and Britain announced that they would give up all extraterritorial privileges in China after the war. 1942: Jan. 29-30 ’ The appointment of General Stilwell as the Chief of Staff of General Chiang's joint Staff, and the U.S. Army Representative in China. 1943: Nov. 22-26 ’ The Cairo Conference of Roosevelt, Churchill, and Chiang Kai-shek on joint war plans, post-war conditions such as the restoration of lost Chinese territories, including Taiwan and Penghu. 1944: Aug. 18 ’ General Patrick J. Hurley was appointed as personal representative of President Roosevelt to China. Oct. 24 ’ The recall of General Stilwell from China. 1945: Nov. 27 ’ The resignation of Ambassador Hurley. The appointment of General Marshall as President Truman's representative to China was announced. Dec. 15 ’ The statement of U.S. policy in China was issued by President Truman. He expressed his desire to see China peacefully unified as a democratic state. 1946: Dec. 18 ’ President Truman in a statement reaffirmed American belief in a "united and democratic China" the U.S. would continue the policy of non-involvement in Chinese civil strife. 1947: July 9 ’ President Truman instructed General Wedemeyer to proceed to China on a fact-finding mission. The Wedemeyer Report 9/19. 1948: Mar. 29 ’ The First National Assembly under the new Constitution met in Nanking. Chiang Kai-shek was elected by the National Assembly as the President of China. July 3 ’ The Sino-American Aid Agreement was signed. The Chinese Government was to receive $275 million for non-military supplies and $125 million for use at its discretion. Aug. 5 ’ The Sino-American Agreement for the establishment of Joint Commission on Rural Reconstruction in China was signed. 1949: Jan. 21 ’ President Chiang Kai-shek announced his temporary retirement. Apr. 24 Communist forces occupied Nanking. Aug. 5 ’ The U.S. State Department released the White Paper on U.S. relations with China. Oct. 1 ’ The establishment of the Chinese Communist government in Beijing. Dec. 7 ’ The National Government moved its seat to Taipei. 1950: Mar. 1 ’ President Chiang Kai-shek resumed the presidency in Taipei. 1951: Apr. 21 ’ The U.S. announced its assignment of the military assistance advisory group (MAAG) to Taiwan. 1953: Feb. 3 ’ President Eisenhower announced the deneutralization of the Taiwan Strait. 1954: Dec. 2 ’ The Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty was signed in Washington. 1956: Mar. 16 ’ U.S. Secretary of State John Foster Dulles visited Taipei. 1958: Oct. 23 ’ President Chiang and U.S. Secretary of State Dulles issued a joint communique reaffirming solidarity and stating that Kinmen and Matsu islands were closely related to the defense of Taiwan under present conditions. 1960: June 18-19 President Eisenhower visited Taipei. Dec. 1 ’ The first atomic reactor under U.S. assistance installed in the National Tsing Hua University at Hsinchu. 1961: Mar. 14 ’ U.S. Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson visited Taipei. 1963: Sept. 1 ’ The Council for International Economic Cooperation and Development (CIECD) was inaugurated to replace the Council for U.S. Aid in Taipei. 1965: Apr. 9 ’ The U.S. and China concluded in Taipei an accord to establish a Sino-American fund for economic and social development in Taiwan. July 1 ’ The U.S. phased out economic aid to Taiwan. 1966: Jan. 1 ’ U.S. Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey visited Taipei. 1969: Aug. 1-2 ’ U.S. Secretary of State William P. Rogers visited Taipei. 1970: Jan. 2 and Aug. 26 ’ Vice President Spiro T. Agnew visited Taipei. 1971: July 9 - 11 ’ President Nixon's Assistant for National Security Affairs Henry Kissinger and Premier Chou En-lai held talks in Peking. July 14 ’ Memorandum  to President Nixon: Henry Kissinger: "My talks with Chou En-lai." 1972: Feb. 20-27 ’ President Nixon arrived in mainland China for an eight-day visit, which he called a "journey for peace."  A joint communique issued in Shanghai pledged that both parties would work for a normalization of relations. 1973: May 14 ’ Liaison offices were opened in Washington and Beijing. David K.E. Bruce was the first director in Beijing. 1974: October 21 ’ George Bush was the head of Liaison Office in Beijing. 1976: May 6 ’ Thomas S. Gates, Jr. entered on duty as Director of Liaison Office in Beijing. Dec. 8 ’ American business leaders formed a U.S.-R.O.C. Economic Council in Chicago. 1978: Dec. 15 ’ Joint communiques issued in Washington and Beijing announce establishment of US-PRC diplomatic relations and termination of US-ROC ties and Mutual Defense Treaty. Dec. 22 ’ Sen. Barry Goldwater and 14 other legislators file suit in US District Court to prevent termination of ROC Mutual Defense Treaty. Dec. 27-28 ’ US delegation, led by Deputy Secretary of State Warren Christopher, confers in Taipei on future ROC-US relations. 1979: Jan. 1 ’ US and PRC mark resumption of diplomatic ties with ceremonies in Washington and Beijing. Jan. 3 ’ Carter's Dec. memorandum to US agencies sets terms for continued US-Taiwan relations on “unofficial” basis. Jan. ’ David Dean assumed as Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Managing Director of the American Institute in Taiwan. Feb. 26 ’ Senate, 82-9, confirms US Liaison Office head Leonard Woodcock as Ambassador to PRC. Mar. 1 ’ US and PRC formally establish diplomatic ties as US Embassy in ROC officially closes. Apr. 10 President Carter Signed "Taiwan Relations Act." April 20 ’ Former US Ambassador Charles Cross named Director of American Institute in Taiwan. 1980: Jan. 3 ’ State Department announces US will sell $280 million in defensive arms to Republic of China (ROC) on Taiwan, but no advanced fighter jets for now. Jan. 24 ’ Pentagon announces US will sell PRC nonlethal military equipment. US-China Commission on Scientific and Technical Cooperation holds first meeting in Beijing. Aug. 20 ’ Republican Vice-Presidential candidate George Bush in Beijing is told by Huang that candidate Ronald Reagan’s stand on Taiwan could harm US-PRC relations as well as endanger world peace. On 8/25 Reagan issues “definitive” statement accepting current unofficial US-ROC relationship. Sept. 6 ’ Under Secretary of Defense for Research William J. Perry arrives in Beijing; says on 9/10 US will sell 11 advanced computers with possible military application to PRC. Oct. 15 ’ PRC formally protests accord on diplomatic immunity signed 10/2 by American Institute on Taiwan and its US counterpart, as betrayal of normalization principles. 1981: Jan. 7 ’ People's Republic of China (PRC) -US scheduled air service resumes after 32 years. Feb. 12 ’ US Nuclear Regulatory Commission approves export of 3 reactors to ROC. June 13 ’ Secretary of State Alexander M. Haig, Jr. in Hong Kong says closer US-PRC ties a "strategic imperative" in face of growing Soviet threat. In Beijing 6/14-6/16 Haig announces US decision in principle to sell arms to PRC. Sept. 5 US-PRC cultural exchange pact signed in Beijing. Nov. 16 ’ James R. Lilley appointed AIT Director. 1982: Jan. 11 ’ US approves sale of additional F-5E fighter aircraft to Republic of China (ROC), but rules out sale of more sophisticated warplanes; People's Republic of China (PRC) protests decision 1/12. Jan. 31 ’ PRC declares willingness to discuss time schedule for ending US military sales to Taiwan. Mar. 13 ’ PRC warns Reagan Administration that Sino-American relations will suffer "grave consequences" if US insists on making "long-term" arms sales to ROC. Apr. 13 ’ US announces sale of $60 million in military spare parts to ROC; PRC protests 4/14, and warns 4/16 that US-PRC relations are at "critical juncture." May 5-9 ’ Vice President George Bush visits PRC; meets with Chinese leadership, but fails to break impasse over US arms sales to ROC. July 16 ’ Reagan Administration says it has notified PRC that US will proceed with co-production of F-5E fighter aircraft with ROC; PRC reportedly protests decision. Aug. 16 ’ After 10 months of secret negotiations, US and PRC sign joint communique governing both nations' relations with ROC; PRC pledges to seek reunification with Taiwan only by peaceful means, US promises not to exceed--and gradually to reduce--current levels of arms sales to ROC. ROC expresses "profound regret" over US-PRC agreement 8/17. Sept. 6-11 ’ Former President Richard M. Nixon visits PRC to commemorate 10th anniversary of Shanghai Communique; urges US and PRC to "seize the hour" and expand mutual relations. 1983: Feb. 18 ’ China applies to replace Taiwan at Asian Development Bank; US and Japan reportedly endorse Chinese membership. Feb. 25 ’ China charges US with violating spirit of 1982 US-Chinese agreement on reduction of US arms sales to Taiwan; US on 2/26 denies accusation, stresses commitment to strong US-Chinese relations. Apr. 4 ’ US grants asylum to Chinese tennis star Hu Na; in response, China orders cancellation 4/7 of scheduled 1983 sports, cultural exchanges with US. July 15 ’ US announces plans to sell $530 million in new arms to Taiwan; China denounces move 7/22, charging US with violating 8/82 communique on arms sales. Sept. 25-29 ’ Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger visits China, exploring opportunities for increased US-Chinese military cooperation. 1984: Jan. 12 ’ US and China, during visit to US by Chinese Prime Minister Zhao Ziyang, sign agreements extending current scientific exchanges and initiating new cooperation in industry, trade. Apr. 26-May 1 ’ Reagan, in first trip to Communist country, visits China; meets with Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping 4/28. June 14 ’ U.S. at end of visit by Chinese Defense Minister Zhang Aiping, announces agreement "in principle" on sale to China of US antiaircraft, antitank weapons. June 15 ’ White House spokesman, citing Chinese support for Pakistani nuclear programs, warns that 4/30 US-Chinese nuclear cooperation accord will not be sent to Congress without new guarantees that China will not aid emergence of new nuclear-weapon states. 1985: July 23 ’ President Ronald Reagan meets at White House with Chinese President Li Xiannian, announces signing of pact allowing sale of American nuclear reactors and nonmilitary technology to China. Oct. 13-18 ’ Vice President George Bush visits China, announces US agreement to speed export of some high-technology products to China; Taiwan issue is raised by Chinese leaders as obstacle to Sino-US relations. 1986: Feb. 20 ’ Board of governors of Asian Development Bank accepts PRC as bank's 47th member; PRC formally admitted 3/11; Taiwan, a founding member of bank, protests change in its official designation from "Republic of China" to "Taipei, China." Apr. 8 ’ Reagan Administration informs US Congress of intent to sell PRC $550 million in aviation electronics, in largest military sale to Beijing since 1972. July 17 ’ John F. Burns, New York Times Beijing bureau chief, is taken into custody by Chinese security officials, charged with espionage stemming from motorcycle trip through areas restricted to foreigners; expelled 7/23. Nov. 5-11 ’ Three US Navy warships make a port visit at Qingdao, China, first American military vessels to visit China since 1949. Dec. 4 ’ David N. Laux to become Chairman of American Institute in Taiwan. 1987: Jan. 8 ’ David Dean assumed his duties as Director of the American Institute in Taiwan, Taipei Office. Feb. 28 ’ US Secretary of State George Shultz arrives in Hong Kong; 3/1 begins a 5-day trip to Chinese cities. Deputy Prime Minister Li Peng 3/2 informs Shultz China has no intention of retreating from its opening to the West or its partial adoption of free-market measures. Shultz meets with Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping 3/3. July 14 ’ Taiwan's Martial law is lifted 7/14, allowing formation of new political parties, ending military censorship and trial of citizens by military court. Oct. 22 ’ US announces it will not sell certain high-technology products to China in retaliation for China's sale of Silkworm missiles to Iran. 1988: Jan. 13 ’ Chiang Ching-kuo, Taiwan's president since 1978, dies of heart attack. Chiang is succeeded immediately by Lee Teng-hui, who had been vice president. Zhao Ziyang, Chinese Communist Party general secretary, sends condolences 1/14, praises Chiang's efforts to reunify China. 1989: June 2 ’ 100,000 demonstrate in Tienanmen Square. Demonstrators violently confront soldiers and police 6/3. Chinese troops begin all-out assault on Tienanmen Square shortly after midnight 6/4. Troops are reported to slay hundreds of demonstrators; soldiers are also reported to have been beaten and killed by protesters. Demonstrators are ordered to leave square at about 4:00 am; they vote to comply. Government announces "rebellion has been suppressed." Protests erupt 6/4 in Taipei, Hong Kong and Macao. Chinese troops sporadically fire on civilians in Beijing 6/5-8. June 5 ’ President Bush announces sanctions against Chinese government, including suspension of military sales. Oct. 28 ’ Former President Richard Nixon travels to China for private talks with Chinese leaders. Nov. 30 ’ President Bush vetoes bill passed by Congress to permit all Chinese citizens in US on student visas to remain until 6/90. Dec. 9 ’ US mission headed by National Security Adviser Brent Scowcroft and Deputy Secretary of State Lawrence S. Eagleburger arrives in Beijing for meeting with Chinese leadership.  1991: June 16 ’ U.S. Under-Secretary of State Reginald Bartholomew visited Beijing to seek curb on arms sales to Third World countries, a growing irritant in U.S.-P.R.C. relations. Nov. 15-17 ’ U.S. Secretary of James Baker visited Beijing to discuss issues on trade, human rights, and arms sales in the bilateral relatinship. 1992: June 2 ’ US extends Most-Favored-Nation status to China. 1993: Apr. 29 B. Lynn Pascoe appointed as Director of AIT/Taipei Oct.4 ’ China conducted an underground nuclear test at the Lop Nur test site in northwest China. 1994: April 11 ’ President Clinton's letter to congressional leaders on rhinoceros and tiger trade by China and Taiwan.  Trade sanctions against Taiwan. (under the Pelly Amendment) Sept. 27 ’ Taiwan policy review--Winston Lord, Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs. Statement before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. 1995: Dec. 14 ’ James C. Wood, Jr., appointed as Chairman and Managing Director of the America Institute in Taiwan. 1996: Jan. 30 ’ Darryl N. Johnson appointed as Director of AIT/Taipei. 1997: Sept. 3 ’ AIT announces appointment of Richard Bush as Chairman of the Board and Managing Director of the American Institute in Taiwan. Oct. 29 ’ Clinton-Jiang Summit and Joint U.S.-China Statement.(in Washington, D.C.) 1998: Feb. 20 ’ US-Taiwan market access agreement signed in Washington, D.C. June 27 Clinton-Jiang Summit in Beijing. June 30 ’ President Clinton's statement on the "Three Noes" in Shanghai, China. 1999: Feb. 26 ’ Defense Dept. Report on Security in the Taiwan Strait Apr. 7 ’ President Clinton's Speech on U.S. policy toward China. Apr. 8 ’ Premier Zhu Rongji first official visit to the United States. May 8 ’ NATO Forces Mistakenly Bombed the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade. July 21 ’ Clinton Cautions Taiwan, China to Resolve Differences Peacefully Aug. 31 ’ Mr. Raymond F. Burghardt became Director of AIT. Nov. 6 ’ U.S. and PRC Announced Agreement on Terms for China's WTO Accession. Dec. 16 ’ U.S. and PRC Negotiators Reached Agreement on Compensation for Damages in the Accidental NATO Bombing of the PRC Embassy in Belgrade. 2000: Jan. 29 ’ The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA) Announced It Was Reopening Its Grant Assistance Program in China, Suspended Since 1989. Feb. 1 ’ The full House Passed H.R. 1838 The Taiwan Security Enhancement Act. May 24 ’ President Clinton Remarks on Passage of China - PNTR. Oct. 10 ’ President Clinton Signed the Permanent Normal Trade Relations for China. Dec. 19 ’ Pentagon Report on Implementation of Taiwan Relations Act. 2001: Apr. 1 ’ A PRC F8 Fighter Collided with a U.S. Navy EP-3 Reconnaissance Plane Over the South China Sea. The EP-3 Made an Emergency Landing on Hainan Island. Apr. 12 ’ China Released 24 American EP-3 Crew Members Held Since April 1, 2001. Apr. 24 ’ President Bush Authorized the Sale of Defense Articles and Services to Taiwan, Including Diesel-Powered Submarines, Anti-submarine Air Craft, and Destroyers. Apr. 25 ’ Kerry Says U.S. Not Obligated to Defend Taiwan from Attacks. June 4 ’ Defense Secretary Rumsfeld Told Journalists That the United States Was Resuming Military Contacts with the PRC, Suspended Since the EP-3 Incident. June 12 ’ Assistant Secretary of State Testimony Before House Subcommittee on U.S.-China relationship. Jul. 13 ’ Beijing Was Awarded the Right to Host the 2008 Olympic Games. Sep. 6 ’ Resolution Calls For Peaceful Settlement of Taiwan Issue. Nov. 1 ’ Sale of Javelin Anti-Tank  Missiles to Taiwan. Dec. 11 ’ The PRC Formally Joined the World Trade Organization (WTO). 2002: Jan. 1 ’ China Received Permanent Normal Trade Relations from the United States. Jan. 2 ’ Commerce Secretary Congratulates Taiwan on WTO Membership. Feb. 21-22 ’ President Bush Visited China, Japan and South Korea. Remarks by President Bush and President Jiang Zemin in Press Availability. Mar. 11 Taiwan's Defense Minister's U.S. Visit. April 10 ’ Lawmaker Hails 23rd Anniversary of Taiwan Relations Act. June 5 ’ Lawmakers Stress Need for Peaceful Resolution of Taiwan Issue. July 1 ’ Douglas H. Paal arrived in Taipei to assume his duties as Director of the Taipei Office of the American Institute in Taiwan. ’ ’

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