Economic diplomacy: The “one–China policy” effect on trade

Chinese foreign policy is mainly characterized by the Beijing consensus and the one-China principle in international relations. More precisely, the situation faced by Taiwan is a “core interest” in China's economic diplomacy strategy. We investigate whether the “one-China policy” (OCP) has had visible effects on bilateral trade flows. In other words, does the compliance of diplomatic commitments with China undermine Taiwanese trade and enhance China's trade position? Using a structural gravity model based on worldwide panel data for the period 1948–2012, we approximate the OCP through two dummy variables: the vote by countries of the UN resolution about China's recognition in 1971 and the existence of diplomatic ties with China. The first component of the OCP drastically increased on average in trade flows with China regardless of the vote of trading partners concerning this UN resolution as well as that for Taiwan. On average, results suggest that diplomatic relations with China improve bilateral trade flows for China, but a trade-deteriorating effect appears for Taiwan with certain ex-colonies. We also find that the effects of these economic diplomacy components confirm previous results reported for the period studied. •Economic diplomacy matters in Chinese and Taiwanese trade relations through the “one-Chinapolicy”.•China's recognition by the UN has improved on average the Chinese and Taiwanese trade flows regardless the vote.•Diplomatic ties with China lead to a trade-promoting effect for China regardless the nature of trading partners.•Diplomatic agreements with China lead to a trade-deteriorating effect for Taiwan with someex-colonies.•Chinese authorities use retaliation measures to compel its trading partners to respect its foreign policy doctrine.