Published : 2024-12-16

On December 16, 1978, the China-U.S. Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations was issued.

The full name of the communiqué is the "Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between the People's Republic of China and the United States of America", and its main content is the announcement that China and the United States agreed to establish diplomatic relations from January 1, 1979.

The communiqué states that both parties emphasise their desire to reduce the danger of international military conflicts, and that neither party should seek hegemony in the Asia-Pacific region or in any other region of the world, opposing efforts by any country or group of countries to establish such hegemony.

At the same time, both parties emphasise that the normalisation of China-U.S. relations is not only in the interests of the Chinese and American people but also contributes to the cause of peace in Asia and the world.

The communiqué also mentions the Taiwan issue. It states that the Government of the United States of America acknowledges the Chinese position that there is but one China and Taiwan is part of China.

At the same time, the American people will maintain cultural, commercial, and other unofficial relations with the people of Taiwan.

Finally, the communiqué indicates that China and the United States will exchange ambassadors and establish embassies on March 1, 1979.