What Do You Know About "Formulas"?

Conducting international relations is a matter of endless compromises. Using the art of compromise as part of a flexible foreign diplomacy is called creating "formulas." In recent years, the handling of the so-called "China question" has given rise to all kinds of "formulas." Below are a few important examples.

In 1979, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) suggested that the Olympic Committee of the ROC change its name to "The Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee" in order to allow the Chinese communists to adopt the name "The Chinese Olympic Committee". It also suggested that the ROC not be allowed to display its flag or play its national anthem at the games. As a result, a member of the Olympic Committee of the ROC took the IOC to court in Lausanne, Switzerland.

With the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the United States' subsequent boycott of the Moscow Olympic Games, the situation changed. The IOC decided to separate athletics and politics, and revised its charter. As a result, all of the designations, flags, and anthems of the Olympic teams were changed from representing countries to representing Olympic committees. Thus the position of all teams was made equal.

The agreement that the IOC reached was given the term "The Olympic Formula." Its terms were: The Olympic Committee of the ROC would henceforth be called the "Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee." However, the committee would enjoy equal status with all other committees. In addition, the IOC would work to help the ROC attain or regain admission to other athletic associations.

"The Olympic Formula" is representative of the means that have been used to reconcile differences between official government policy and unofficial standpoints on the relations between the ROC and other countries.

Four years ago, the Chinese communists applied to the Asian Development Bank, with the prerequisite that the ROC's membership be revoked. After lengthy consultation, a large number of countries refused the communists' motion. So they proposed instead that the ROC use the designation "Taipei, China." After repeated negotiations between the Chinese communists and the Americans, it was decided that the ROC be officially called "Taipei, China," but that it retain full membership status. On March 10th of this year the Chinese communists joined the ADB. The attitude of the ROC has been: no acceptance, no withdrawal, and no participation in this year's annual meeting of the bank's members.

Actually, the "Taipei, China" designation is continuation of the methods used in "The Hong Kong Formula."

In September of 1984, the Chinese communists and Great Britain signed an agreement turning Hong Kong over to the communists in 1997. At the time the communists reported that Hong Kong would retain its current levels of political autonomy, and would continue enjoying its current social, economic, legal, and financial systems, as well as its current lifestyle, for a period of 50 years after the turnover.

In addition, the communists promised to allow Hong Kong the right to have economic and cultural ties with any country. This is the so-called "one country, two systems" policy.

According to Chao Tze-yang, this policy would also be extended to Taiwan. However, this policy really means having two systems under the communists, so that Taiwan's government would be only a local one. An alternative solution that foreign scholars have proposed for the "China question" is "The German Formula."

In 1972, East and West Germany signed a basic treaty, which stipulated that both parties would establish friendly relations and exchange representatives, while retaining their political independence and sovereignty over their respective territories. It also stipulated that both promote cooperation on such issues as economics, athletics, health, culture, trade, technology, postal service, and communications. In addition, the treaty would not influence either party's treaties or agreement s with other governments.

Scholars have applied this treat to the "China question" as follows: Until peaceful reunification, which is the goal of all Chinese, the ROC government will enjoy international legal status; nevertheless, all of Chinese territory will be considered under the rule of a single constitutional government.

In the course of the ROC's diplomatic travails, many "formulas" have appeared. Two of them are "The Japanese Formula" and "The American Formula."

Seven days after U.S. President Nixon announced his visit to the mainland in 1971, the Japanese government proposed establishing diplomatic ties with the Chinese communists. The establishment of relations shortly thereafter made both the continuation of diplomatic ties with the ROC and the establishment of a Japanese foreign affairs office or consulate impossible. The solution was the establishment of the Japanese "Interchange Association, Taipei Office" on Taiwan, and the Chinese "Association of East Asian Relations" in Japan. In addition, both governments have maintained contact through unofficial channels to enable the discussion and resolution of problems.

"The American Formula" appeared after the establishment of diplomatic ties between the United States and the Chinese communists in 1979. Like the Japanese, the American government now recognizes the Chinese communists as the legal government of China. But it maintains contact with the ROC through the mutual efforts of the American Institute in Taiwan and the Coordination Council for North American Affairs in the United States. Members of both associations enjoy rights and immunities similar to those of international organizations.

The difference between the American and the Japanese "formulas" is that relations between the United States and the ROC have a legal safeguard, namely the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979.

[Picture Caption]

In 1984, carrying a flag patterned with the ROC emblem, plum blossoms, and "Chinese Taipei," the ROC Olympic team took part in the Los Angeles Olympic Games. (courtesy of Olympic Sports Magazine)

In 1997, will Hong Kong, under the "one country, two systems policy," become just a local government under the Chinese communists? (photo by Arthur Jeng)

The Berlin Wall cannot prevent relations in communications, culture, trade, and technology between East and West Germany. (photo by Chrissie Lu)

In 1997, will Hong Kong, under the "one country, two systems policy," become just a local government under the Chinese communists? （photo by Arthur Jeng）

The Berlin Wall cannot prevent relations in communications, culture, trade, and technology between East and West Germany. （photo by Chrissie Lu）