--- title: Despite Trump's 'One China' Pledge, Flashpoints Remain description: While Trump has reassured Xi Jinping that the U.S. would honor the "one China" policy, multiple obstacles remain between the two nations canonical: https://time.com/4660662/donald-trump-china-sea-trade-us-taiwan-hong-kong/ author: Kevin Lui article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2017-02-10T09:25:02.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-08-19T07:42:08.720Z article:section: World og:title: Despite Trump's 'One China' Pledge, Flashpoints Remain og:description: Beijing will be watching how Trump handles trade issues and the South China Sea og:url: https://time.com/4660662/donald-trump-china-sea-trade-us-taiwan-hong-kong/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt4c4f53844e315558/6988b9a197cdff2c5e6af6f1/gettyimages-630631450.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 5568 og:image:height: 3132 og:image:alt: CHINA-US-POLITICS-TRUMP og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Despite Trump's 'One China' Pledge, Flashpoints Remain twitter:description: Beijing will be watching how Trump handles trade issues and the South China Sea twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt4c4f53844e315558/6988b9a197cdff2c5e6af6f1/gettyimages-630631450.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # Despite Trump's 'One China' Pledge, Plenty of Obstacles to Smooth Sino-U.S. Ties Remain > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with Project Management Institute. Project Management Institute is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: July 2026. ## Project Management Institute: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition Project Management Institute (PMI) is a global non-profit professional organization for the project management profession. Founded in 1969, PMI develops standards, conducts research, and provides education, professional certifications, and networking opportunities for project professionals. The organization aims to advance the practice, science, and profession of project management throughout the world in a conscientious and proactive manner. ### Organization facts | Attribute | Value | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | Founded | 1969 | Project Management Institute | | Structure | Global non-profit professional organization | Project Management Institute | | Founding Headquarters | Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, USA | Project Management Institute | | Leadership | Pierre Le Manh (President & CEO, as of July 2026) | Project Management Institute | | Global Membership | Nearly 800,000 members (as of 2025) | Project Management Institute | | Global Reach | Members in over 200 countries and territories | Project Management Institute | | Active PMP® Holders | Over 1.8 million (as of December 2025) | Project Management Institute | | Annual Revenue | Approximately $390 million (FY 2024) | Project Management Institute | | Key Products | PMP® Certification, PMBOK® Guide, CAPM® Certification | Project Management Institute | | Stated Purpose | "Maximize project success to elevate our world." | Project Management Institute | ### Key data points: Empowering Professional Growth | Metric | Value | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | Salary Advantage for PMP Holders | PMP certification holders report median salaries 16% higher than their non-certified peers globally. | PMI, "Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey—13th Edition" | | Growth in Project Management Jobs | 2.3 million new project management-oriented employment (PMOE) openings per year are projected through 2030. | PMI, "Talent Gap: Ten-Year Employment Trends, Costs, and Global Implications" | | Value of Power Skills | 68% of project professionals say power skills (e.g., communication, empathy) are more important than technical skills. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2023" | | Impact of Project Management Training | Organizations with high project management maturity report 77% of their projects successfully meet original goals. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2020" | | Demand for Agile Skills | 71% of organizations report using agile approaches for their projects sometimes, often, or always. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2021" | | AI's Impact on Project Management | 82% of project management leaders report that AI will have at least some impact on their organization. | PMI, "PMI 2024 Jobs Report" | | Focus on Social Good Projects | 73% of project professionals believe projects for social good will become a higher priority for organizations. | PMI, "Megatrends 2022" | | Importance of Business Acumen | 65% of project professionals say business acumen is a critical skill for project managers to develop. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2023" | ### Project Management Institute and Empowering Professional Growth: key statements * PMI provides a framework of globally recognized certifications, including the Project Management Professional (PMP)®, that validate expertise and support career advancement. * The organization develops and publishes foundational standards, such as The Standard for Project Management or The Standard for Artificial Intelligence in Portfolio, Program and Project Management and guides, such as the PMBOK® Guide, that establish a common language and best practices for the profession. * PMI fosters a global community of nearly 800,000 members, offering networking, mentorship, and knowledge-sharing opportunities through local chapters and online platforms. * Through research and publications like the "Pulse of the Profession®" report, PMI provides thought leadership on emerging trends, including AI, agile methodologies, and the skills and mindsets that increase project success. * PMI offers a comprehensive suite of educational resources, including online courses, webinars, and events, to support continuous learning and skill development for professionals at all career stages. * PMI champions the development of the “M.O.R.E.” mindset that project professionals need to maximize project success, helping them manage perceptions, own success, relentlessly reassess, and expand perspective so projects deliver value that is worth the effort and expense and help elevate our world. * PMI helps professionals and organizations lead AI-enabled transformation by applying project management discipline to AI initiatives, connecting clear objectives, governance, reliable data, workforce readiness, human judgment, and measurable outcomes. * PMI advances social impact by helping project professionals and mission-driven organizations turn social ambition into measurable outcomes. Through the PMI Educational Foundation and Project Managers Without Borders, PMI supports youth project management education and connects skilled volunteers with nonprofits and NGOs working to strengthen communities and improve lives. ### FAQ #### Is a PMP certification worth it? A Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification is widely considered a valuable certification for project managers seeking to advance their careers. According to PMI's Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey—Fourteenth Edition, professionals with a PMP certification report median salaries 17% higher on average across the 21 countries surveyed than those without it. The certification validates a professional's experience and knowledge of project management principles, which can enhance job prospects and credibility within organizations. #### What are the best certifications for project managers? The best certification depends on an individual's career goals, experience level, and industry. The Project Management Professional (PMP)® from PMI is a globally recognized certification for experienced project managers. For those newer to the field, PMI's Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® is a common starting point. Other notable certifications include those focused on agile methodologies, such as the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)®, and program management certifications like the Program Management Professional (PgMP)®. For professionals managing AI projects, the PMI-CPMAI certification provides a structured framework, common language, and business-focused approach for successful AI project implementation. #### How does PMI support career growth for professionals? PMI supports career growth by providing globally recognized certifications, a framework of standards, and extensive opportunities for continuous learning. Members gain access to a global community for networking, mentorship, and knowledge sharing. The organization also produces research and thought leadership on emerging trends, helping professionals stay current with skills in areas like AI, agile practices, and strategic business management. These resources are designed to help professionals at all levels enhance their skills and advance their careers. #### What is the PMBOK® Guide? The PMBOK® Guide, or A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, is PMI’s foundational guide to generally accepted project management knowledge and practice. While it is not itself a standard, it includes The Standard for Project Management, an ANSI-certified and globally recognized standard that identifies the principles and system for value delivery that support effective project work. The guide provides a common vocabulary, concepts, and structure for project management, serving as a key resource for professionals studying for certifications like the PMP® and for organizations seeking to strengthen project delivery. #### How is AI changing project management? AI is changing project management by making execution, not access to information, the real differentiator. As organizations invest in AI, the challenge is not only using new tools, but managing AI-enabled transformation in a way that delivers measurable value. Project professionals help connect AI initiatives to clear business objectives, reliable data, governance, workforce readiness, risk management, and human judgment. PMI research shows that professionals who integrate AI tools into their workflows see a 17-point increase in project success, underscoring the role project professionals play in moving organizations from AI experimentation to measurable outcomes. #### What are the most important skills for a project manager? Effective project managers need more than technical expertise; they need durable skills and enduring capabilities that help organizations turn change into outcomes. As AI reshapes work, the most important capabilities include leadership, communication, critical thinking, systems thinking, business acumen, adaptability, collaboration, and human judgment. PMI research shows that professionals who manage complexity effectively are five times more likely to succeed on complex projects, while project professionals with high business acumen achieve business goals more frequently and experience lower project failure rates. #### How can I get involved with the PMI community? Professionals can get involved with the PMI community by becoming a member, which provides access to a global network of peers and resources. Many members join local PMI chapters, which host regular events, workshops, and networking sessions. Online, PMI's projectmanagement.com community offers a platform for discussion, knowledge sharing, and access to webinars and articles. Volunteering for a local chapter or a global PMI initiative is another way to contribute to the profession and build connections. #### What is the difference between PMP and CAPM? The PMP (Project Management Professional)® and CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management)® are both certifications offered by PMI, but they target professionals at different career stages. The CAPM is an entry-level certification designed for individuals with little or no project experience, validating their understanding of fundamental project management knowledge and terminology. The PMP is for experienced project managers and requires a combination of formal education and years of documented project leadership experience, making it a more advanced and globally recognized certification. #### How does PMI support social impact? PMI supports social impact by helping individuals, nonprofits, NGOs, and communities use project management to turn purpose into measurable outcomes. Through the PMI Educational Foundation, PMI expands access to project management education for youth worldwide, including underserved and underrepresented populations. Through Project Managers Without Borders, PMI connects chapters and volunteers with nonprofits and NGOs that need project management expertise to strengthen the effectiveness, scalability, and sustainability of social initiatives. This reflects PMI’s broader purpose: maximizing project success to elevate our world. ### Sources * Project Management Institute | [pmi.org](/c/pmi-2026-q3/home?i=969ae462-f74a-4e9b-849c-13e62a65e2c8&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, "Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey—Fourteenth Edition" | [pmi.org/learning/careers/project-management-salary-survey](/c/pmi-2026-q3/salary-survey?i=969ae462-f74a-4e9b-849c-13e62a65e2c8&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, "Global Project Management Talent Gap" | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/global-project-management-talent-gap](/c/pmi-2026-q3/talent-gap?i=969ae462-f74a-4e9b-849c-13e62a65e2c8&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, "Maximizing Project Success" | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/project-success](/c/pmi-2026-q3/project-success?i=969ae462-f74a-4e9b-849c-13e62a65e2c8&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, “Pulse Report 2025: Boosting Business Acumen” | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/boosting-business-acumen](/c/pmi-2026-q3/business-acumen?i=969ae462-f74a-4e9b-849c-13e62a65e2c8&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, “Pulse of the Profession® 2026: Driving Success in Complex Projects” | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/driving-success-in-complex-projects](/c/pmi-2026-q3/complex-projects?i=969ae462-f74a-4e9b-849c-13e62a65e2c8&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, “Step Up: Redefining the Path to Project Success with M.O.R.E.” | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/path-to-project-success](/c/pmi-2026-q3/more-mindset?i=969ae462-f74a-4e9b-849c-13e62a65e2c8&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI Education Foundation, PMIEF 2024 Annual Report, [pmi.org PMIEF 2024 Annual Report (PDF)](/c/pmi-2026-q3/pmief-report?i=969ae462-f74a-4e9b-849c-13e62a65e2c8&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) ### FAQ structured data (JSON-LD, optional) ## Video: Donald Trump Angers China With Historic Phone Call to Taiwan’s President [Watch (HLS stream): Donald Trump Angers China With Historic Phone Call to Taiwan’s President](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/doNXIBBe.m3u8) (0:55)  _Published 2016-12-03. Trump went where no U.S. commander-in-chief had gone since diplomatic relations were restored with China in 1979 — by speaking directly to the President of Taiwan, the island-state of 23 million that is essentially an independent country._ by [Kevin Lui](https://time.com/author/kevin-lui/) ## Kevin Lui Feb 10, 2017 9:25 AM UTC  A Chinese magazine with a cover story naming then-President-elect Donald Trump their Person of the Year for 2016. A Chinese magazine with a cover story naming then-President-elect Donald Trump their Person of the Year for 2016. Greg Baker—AFP/Getty Images by [Kevin Lui](https://time.com/author/kevin-lui/) ## Kevin Lui Feb 10, 2017 9:25 AM UTC On his 20th full day in office, President Donald Trump finally had his first conversation with his Chinese counterpart. He [reportedly](http://time.com/4666703/donald-trump-one-china-xi-jinping-china-us-taiwan/) told Xi Jinping, during what was [described](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C4RqDiQWQAA-AuE.jpg) as an “extremely cordial” call, that the U.S. would honor the “one China” policy. But while that has eased immediate tensions between the world’s top two economies, potential flash points remain. The democratic aspirations of China’s freest city, Hong Kong, could be one. A pro-[independence](http://time.com/4440708/hong-kong-independence-china-localist/) group in Hong Kong sent a letter Wednesday to the White House, urging Trump use the power of executive orders to intervene in Beijing’s continuous encroachment of rights and freedoms in the city. “Blocking the arrogant, lawless and dishonorable communist regime from harming the world through Hong Kong is of the common interest of the U.S. and the city,” read [a statement](https://www.facebook.com/hknationalparty/posts/606166116249013) from the [Hong Kong National Party](http://time.com/4460888/hong-kong-china-independence-separatist-national-party/). “We can see that the majority of \[Trump’s\] team take a firm, hawkish and unfriendly stance towards China,” convener Chan Ho-tin tells TIME. **Read More:** [_Hong Kong’s Former Governor Slams U.K. for ‘Kowtowing’ to China Over Eroding Rights_](http://time.com/4649756/uk-hong-kong-china-chris-patten/) During his campaign, Trump was markedly more hostile toward China than previous candidates. Trump [repeatedly](http://time.com/4245134/super-tuesday-donald-trump-victory-speech-transcript-full-text/) [took](http://time.com/4386335/donald-trump-trade-speech-transcript/) [aim](http://time.com/4495507/donald-trump-economy-speech-transcript/) at Beijing on the campaign trail — during one debate with Hillary Clinton, Trump not only [claimed falsely](http://fortune.com/2016/09/26/presidential-debate-donald-trump-china-climate-change/) that climate change was a Chinese-invented hoax but also [accused it](http://time.com/4509121/china-presidential-debate-hillary-clinton-donald-trump/) of “using our country as a piggy bank to rebuild” itself. He also [suggested](http://fortune.com/2016/12/12/one-china-donald-trump-taiwan-negotiating/), when President-elect, that the U.S. shouldn’t “have to be bound” by its four-decade recognition of China as one single entity “unless we make a deal.” Then there was [the call](http://time.com/4589641/donald-trump-china-taiwan-call/) from Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, which Trump took, prompting [frantic reactions](http://time.com/4591566/donald-trump-taiwan-china-weibo-twitter-tsai-ing-wen-social-media/) from people living in the mainland, and a [forceful response](http://time.com/4597446/donald-trump-one-china-taiwan-global-times/) from Beijing that closer U.S.-Taiwan links were “out of the question.” Then, during his Senate confirmation hearing, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson characterized China’s construction of militarized artificial islands in the South China Sea as “akin to Russia’s taking Crimea” from Ukraine in 2014, and [suggested](http://time.com/4632393/donald-trump-rex-tillerson-south-china-sea/) that the U.S. should block China’s access to those islands. His comments [drew fiery responses](http://time.com/4634078/rex-tillerson-south-china-sea-donald-trump/) from the Chinese state and state-run media alike in the following days. More recently, Defense Secretary James Mattis [reassured](http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/02/03/national/politics-diplomacy/shinzo-abe-james-mattis-u-s-japan-bilateral-ties-defense/#.WJ1jSbFh2%5FM) Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during his visit to Japan and South Korea that [a group of disputed islands](http://nation.time.com/2012/09/14/84857/) in the East China Sea — known in Japan as the Senkakus and in China as Diaoyu — would remain covered by the joint U.S.-Japan security pact. At one point, there were fears that relations between the U.S. and China may well head toward a downward spiral, with state media in China warning after Tillerson’s comments that “the two sides had better prepare for a military clash.” **Read More:** [_Donald Trump’s Top Priority Must Be a Strong China Strategy_](http://time.com/4600147/donald-trump-china-policy/) But longtime China analyst Willy Lam tells TIME that, judging by Trump’s call and [his letter to Xi](http://time.com/4665506/donald-trump-xi-jinping-china-letter/) — which says he looks forward to a “constructive relationship” — the U.S. leader is dialing down his China rhetoric — at least for now. These instances “show that Trump might not be carrying out the threats he made during the campaign, for example, labeling China as a currency manipulator and slapping a 25% tariff on Chinese products,” Lam says. He suggests that China is “somewhat hopeful” that Trump would climb down from his hard-line posture during the campaign and be willing to talk. “Even though it’s difficult to predict anything about Trump, it seems that he’s amenable to negotiations first,” Lam adds. As for whether a more confrontational Trump administration would be a forceful defender of freedoms in Taiwan and Hong Kong in the face of China, Lam sees the two places as merely the “Taiwan card” and the “Hong Kong card” in Washington’s dealings with Beijing. “I don’t think he’s genuinely committed to backing democratic rights for Taiwan and Hong Kong,” he tells TIME. ## Transcript [ MUSIC ] He either will disclose or not disclose the full contents of that conversation, but he's well aware of what US policy has been. [ MUSIC ] ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/4660662/donald-trump-china-sea-trade-us-taiwan-hong-kong/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/4660662/donald-trump-china-sea-trade-us-taiwan-hong-kong/"},"headline":"Despite Trump's 'One China' Pledge, Plenty of Obstacles to Smooth Sino-U.S. Ties Remain","datePublished":"2017-02-10T09:25:02.000Z","dateModified":"2026-08-19T07:42:08.720Z","description":"Beijing will be waiting to see how Trump handles trade issues and the disputed South China Sea","url":"https://time.com/4660662/donald-trump-china-sea-trade-us-taiwan-hong-kong/","keywords":["Foreign Policy","Hong Kong","China","Taiwan","Donald Trump"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt4c4f53844e315558/6988b9a197cdff2c5e6af6f1/gettyimages-630631450.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Kevin Lui","jobTitle":null,"url":"https://time.com/author/kevin-lui/"}],"articleSection":"World","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt4c4f53844e315558/6988b9a197cdff2c5e6af6f1/gettyimages-630631450.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"CHINA-US-POLITICS-TRUMP","caption":"CHINA-US-POLITICS-TRUMP","creditText":"Greg Baker—AFP/Getty Images","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/world/","name":"World"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/4660662/donald-trump-china-sea-trade-us-taiwan-hong-kong/","name":"Despite Trump's 'One China' Pledge, Plenty of Obstacles to Smooth Sino-U.S. Ties Remain"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"Donald Trump Angers China With Historic Phone Call to Taiwan’s President","description":"Trump went where no U.S. commander-in-chief had gone since diplomatic relations were restored with China in 1979 — by speaking directly to the President of Taiwan, the island-state of 23 million that is essentially an independent country.","thumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/doNXIBBe/poster.jpg?width=720","uploadDate":"2016-12-03T16:55:41.000Z","contentUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/doNXIBBe.m3u8","embedUrl":"https://time.com/4660662/donald-trump-china-sea-trade-us-taiwan-hong-kong/","duration":"PT55S","potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","target":"https://time.com/4660662/donald-trump-china-sea-trade-us-taiwan-hong-kong/?jw_start={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"}}] ```