Intangible Factors in China-US Relations towards Taiwan Issue

Abstract

The Taiwan issue remains one of the most complex disputes in China-US relations, where strategic rivalry collides with regional and global security concerns. Beyond material power, intangible factors influence the dynamics across the Taiwan Strait. This article seeks to identify and analyze intangible factors in China-US relations regarding Taiwan through the lens of constructivism. The study focuses on three key elements: Chinese identity and historical narrative, which support Beijing's call for reunification; democratic values and American identity strategy, which shape Washington's approach to Taiwan; and media and discourse, which influence public perception and policy debates. Furthermore, ongoing scholarly disputes about these elements are investigated, exposing how contested meanings and constructed identities contribute to tensions and chances for dialogue. The findings indicates that comprehending the Taiwan issue necessitates paying attention not just to material interests, but also to how intangible factors are socially generated and replicated in China-US-Taiwan interactions.