The "one China principle" has long been the precondition and obstacle set up by China to refuse talks with Taiwan.

The PRC, however, has insisted that President Chen must recognize the one China principle before talks can be held.

Beijing replied equally vaguely that frozen talks might resume if the two sides could "express in their own way orally" their support for the "one China" principle.

President Chen, whose party formally espouses an independent Taiwan, has refused to accept the "one China" principle.

But Beijing was hardly won over by Chen's words, demanding a firm commitment to the 'One China principle.'

In the Far East, the big issue is the tension between China and Taiwan over the latter's abandonment of the "one China" principle.

Washington deferred to this "one China" principle as it normalized relations with Beijing in the 1970's.

In that effort, the two sides agreed to a "one China" principle even as they also agreed that they would have different interpretations of the phrase.

There is significant difference between each faction's recognition for and understanding of the One China principle.

The "one China" principle, followed on both sides of the strait, has maintained peace in the region.