This book describes the progress of United States unofficial, non-governmental relations with Taiwan since 1979. For the first time in United States diplomatic history, the whole range of U.S. interaction with a foreign entity was carried out by a private, non-profit corporation, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT). The history of the establishment and development of AIT is provided in this book, set in the context of the life and career of David Dean, founding Director of AIT. This book provides insights into U.S. relations with Taiwan and China, beginning with the founding of the Republic of China on Taiwan. Other themes include US perspectives on the reforms initiated by President Chiang Ching-kuo, the development of human rights in Taiwan, efforts to combat corruption, and the future security concerns of Taiwan

This book describes the progress of United States unofficial, non-governmental relations with Taiwan since 1979. For the first time in United States diplomatic history, the whole range of U.S. interaction with a foreign entity was carried out by a private, non-profit corporation, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT). The history of the establishment and development of AIT is provided in this book, set in the context of the life and career of David Dean, founding Director of AIT. This book provides insights into U.S. relations with Taiwan and China, beginning with the founding of the Republic of China on Taiwan. Other themes include US perspectives on the reforms initiated by President Chiang Ching-kuo, the development of human rights in Taiwan, efforts to combat corruption, and the future security concerns of Taiwan

“Jones provides a nuanced perspective on both the promise and limits of this unheralded form of unofficial diplomacy.” —Stephen J. Del Rosso, Director, International Peace and Security, Carnegie Corporation of New York Track Two diplomacy consists of informal dialogues among actors such as academics, religious leaders, retired senior officials, and NGO officials that can bring new ideas and new relationships to the official process of diplomacy. Sadly, those involved in official diplomacy often have little understanding of and appreciation for the complex and nuanced role that Track Two can play, or for its limitations. And many Track Two practitioners are often unaware of the realities and pressures of the policy and diplomatic worlds, and not particularly adept at framing their efforts to make them accessible to hard-pressed officials. At the same time, those interested in the academic study of Track Two sometimes fail to understand the realities faced by either set of practitioners. A need therefore exists for a work to bridge the divides between these constituencies and between the different types of Track Two practice—and this book crosses disciplines and traditions in order to do just that. It explores the various dimensions and guises of Track Two, the theory and practice of how they work, and how both practitioners and academics could more profitably assess Track Two. Overall, it provides a comprehensive picture of the range of activities pursued under this title, to provoke new thinking about how these activities relate to each other, to official diplomacy, and to academe. “This book will be a classic that defines the field of Track Two diplomacy. . . . an exemplary work.”—Esra Cuhadar, Bilkent University