US, China, and Taiwan: the ties that bind The relationship of Republic of China (ROC), the People's Republic of China (PRC), and the United States exerts great influence around the globe. The growing political and military influence of China has grave implications for ROC and US security. Since China's acceptance to the UN in 1971 and the leaving of the UN body, ROC has gradually lost its diplomatic stands around the world. With China's growing influence around the globe, there are only 23 countries around the world that have formal diplomatic relationships with the ROC. In this area, a "status-quo" status between China and ROC is unlikely. Both countries are trying to extend their influences and connections, and obviously, China is winning on the world stage. China has heavily invested in Africa, and some of the countries China has invested in have severed their diplomatic ties with the ROC. The economic ties between ROC, People's Republic of China, and the Unites States are stabilizing factors that can prevent conflict from occurring. As stated by Raymond F. DeVoe, Jr, "Economics is war pursued by other means." If the strong economic ties among the three countries remain, the chances of conflicts lessen.