In the short period of eight months that divided the two US-PRC presidential summits of October 1997 and June 1998, the priority of the Taiwan problem was lowered. It became merely one item of discussion among many between the two powers. The intention of the PRC in doing this is clear: It wants to create an environment conducive to a resolution of the Taiwan problem on its terms.
從一九九七年年底起，八個月內舉辦兩次的中（共）美高峰會中，台海問題的「前提性」降低，成為只是雙方眾多協商議題中的一項，中共此番做法的明顯用意，乃在製造一有利於解決台海問題的環境。