自一九九零年代中期以來,美國政府經常宣稱美國有其「一中」政策,而中華人民共和國則是唯一代表中國的合法政府。事實上,美國所謂的「一中」政策是冷戰時期的產物,是在1978年正式確立下來的。從1949年到1978年問,美國在大部分的時期都是實施「一中、一台」或是「兩個中國」的政策。美國「一中」政策的內涵,是指美國政府不承認有數個政權同時聲稱擁有中國大陸的主權。換言之,在任何時候,美國都只承認全世界僅有一個中國政府擁有中國大陸。至於台灣的地位問題,美國政府從未承認台灣是中國的一部分。美國政府長期以來的立場是―自1950年代以來,台灣的國際地位仍未確定。由於理想主義與現實主義始終並存於美國的外交政策中,未來台灣除了應強化其防衛能力外,更應持續深化、鞏固其民主,以獲得美國對其國家安全的支持。
In recent years the US has frequently declared that it has a one-China policy towards the Taiwan Strait, and that the PRC is the sole legal government of China. In fact, the so-called ”one China” policy was formally formed in 1978. During most of the period between 1949 and 1978, the US was pursuing a ”one China, one Taiwan” policy or a two-China policy. The connotation of America's one-China policy merely means that the US does not recognize multiple regimes claiming sovereignty over the Chinese mainland. At any time the US only recognizes one Chinese government that controls one particular territory. With respect to Taiwan's international status, the US has never recognized Taiwan as a part of China after 27 June 1950. America's long-term position is that Taiwan's status has remained undetermined since the 1 950s. As realism and idealism have been capable of co-existing in America's foreign policy, in the future, Taiwan should continue to improve its defense capabilities, and to deepen and consolidate its democracy to gain America's support for its national security.