World

Decoding Taiwan’s Status: How the U.S. Challenges China’s WWII Claims

US embassy in Taipei says China misrepresents WWII documents to pressure Taiwan, challenging its sovereignty claims.

byAndres Castro

September 15, 2025, 9:44 AM

The Taipei 101 skyscraper is illuminated by the sunset in a dense, hazy urban landscape

A view of the Taipei 101 skyscraper and the surrounding cityscape of Taipei, Taiwan, during a hazy sunset. By MDL.

Executive Summary

The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) accused China of intentionally mischaracterizing World War Two-era documents, including the Cairo Declaration, Potsdam Proclamation, and Treaty of San Francisco, to pressure and isolate Taiwan.

The AIT asserted that “none of these documents determined Taiwan’s ultimate political status,” directly challenging China’s claims of sovereignty over the island.

The U.S. views Beijing’s historical narratives as a campaign to isolate Taiwan, while Taiwan’s Foreign Minister reiterated that Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China are “not subordinate to each other.”

The Story So Far

The ongoing dispute regarding Taiwan’s political status is rooted in China’s assertion of sovereignty, based on its interpretation of World War Two-era documents like the Cairo Declaration and Potsdam Proclamation, which it claims mandate Taiwan’s “restoration” to Chinese rule. Taiwan’s government, the Republic of China, counters that these agreements referred to the ROC, not the People’s Republic of China, which did not exist at the time. The U.S., through the American Institute in Taiwan, challenges China’s narrative, stating these documents did not determine Taiwan’s ultimate political status and views Beijing’s claims as part of a campaign to isolate the island, despite Washington’s “one China policy” that acknowledges Beijing’s position without taking a definitive stance on sovereignty.

Why This Matters

The U.S. directly challenging China’s historical interpretation of World War Two documents regarding Taiwan’s sovereignty significantly escalates the diplomatic and rhetorical dispute, explicitly refuting Beijing’s legal basis for its claims. This intervention not only reinforces Taiwan’s international standing by publicly undermining China’s narrative but also signals a firmer U.S. stance against China’s efforts to isolate the island, potentially heightening geopolitical tensions in the region.

Who Thinks What?

The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) asserts that China intentionally mischaracterizes World War Two-era documents, such as the Cairo Declaration, Potsdam Proclamation, and Treaty of San Francisco, as these agreements did not determine Taiwan’s ultimate political status and Beijing’s narratives are false.

China’s government maintains that documents like the Cairo Declaration and Potsdam Proclamation legally support its claims of sovereignty over Taiwan, citing their wording that Taiwan was to be “restored” to Chinese rule.

Taiwan’s government contends that the “Chinese government” referred to in these World War Two agreements was the Republic of China, which now governs Taiwan, and that no such agreements mentioned the People’s Republic of China, thus invalidating Beijing’s current sovereignty claims.

The de facto U.S. embassy in Taipei has accused China of intentionally mischaracterizing World War Two-era documents, asserting that Beijing is using these agreements to pressure and isolate Taiwan. The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) stated that these historical documents did not determine the island’s ultimate political status, directly challenging China’s claims of sovereignty over Taiwan. This intervention comes amidst a bitter dispute between Taipei and Beijing regarding the war’s historical meaning and its relevance today, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of its end.

Historical Interpretations at Odds

The Beijing government maintains that documents such as the Cairo Declaration and Potsdam Proclamation legally support its claims of sovereignty over Taiwan. It cites wording in these agreements stating that Taiwan, then a Japanese colony, was to be “restored” to Chinese rule.

However, Taiwan’s government argues that the Chinese government referred to in these agreements was the Republic of China (ROC), which subsequently fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war to Mao Zedong’s communists. The ROC remains Taiwan’s formal name, and its government contends that no World War Two agreements mentioned Mao’s People’s Republic of China (PRC) because it did not exist then, thus invalidating Beijing’s current claims.

U.S. Rebuttal and Context

In a statement emailed to Reuters, the AIT specifically named the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation, and the Treaty of San Francisco as documents China intentionally mischaracterizes. The institute asserted that “Beijing’s narratives are simply false, and none of these documents determined Taiwan’s ultimate political status.”

The 1951 San Francisco Peace Treaty, signed by Japan, renounced its claims to Taiwan but left the island’s sovereignty unresolved. Beijing, not a party to this treaty, deems it “illegal and invalid.”

Despite ending official ties with Taipei in 1979 to recognize Beijing, the United States remains Taiwan’s most significant international supporter. Washington adheres to a “one China policy,” which officially acknowledges Beijing’s position on Taiwan’s sovereignty without taking its own definitive stance.

The AIT further characterized Beijing’s “false legal narratives” as part of a broader campaign. This campaign, according to the institute, aims to isolate Taiwan from the international community and restrict the sovereign choices of other countries regarding their interactions with the island.

Reactions and Anniversary Commemoration

China’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the AIT’s statement. Earlier in September, Chinese President Xi Jinping oversaw a large military parade in Beijing to mark the war anniversary.

Taiwanese Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung expressed gratitude for the U.S. mission’s statement. Lin reiterated Taiwan’s position, stating, “Our country and the People’s Republic of China are not subordinate to each other, and the People’s Republic of China has no right to represent Taiwan in the international community.”