Abstract overview
This independent draft sets out a proposed 37-article agreement between Taiwan and China. It seeks to reduce the risk of conflict without requiring either side to concede its sovereignty position. It addresses conventional armed conflict and cumulative gray-zone coercion, including pressure on shipping, energy, communications, and political processes. The proposed bargain combines reciprocal restraints with domestic-law implementation and a parallel U.S. assurance. Fact-finding, legal interpretation, and political responses are assigned to separate institutions, while final political status remains in peaceful abeyance.
Editorial summary of the author’s abstract. The linked paper contains the full argument.
Why this question matters
The design problem is how to make coexistence durable when the underlying sovereignty dispute remains unresolved. The draft examines how reciprocal commitments, evidence, and dispute procedures could constrain coercion without settling political status.
Scope and status
An independent discussion draft for track-two analysis, with no official status. It is offered for criticism of the proposed bargain and institutional design; political acceptance remains an open question. The proposal is Skip’s independent work and does not represent affiliated companies, boards, clients, or partners.
Keywords
Suggested citation
Middleton, Skip. “Cross-Strait Framework Agreement for Peace, Security, and Future Relations: An Independent Discussion Draft.” Policy discussion draft, September 1, 2026. Posted on SSRN September 8, 2026. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.7406320.