Celebrating 45 Years of the Taiwan Relations Act! Taiwan Caucus Co-Chairs Reaffirm Support with Bipartisan Resolution
Yesterday marked the 45th anniversary of the enactment of the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act (TRA). Along with the Six Assurances, the TRA has served as the cornerstone of U.S.-Taiwan relations for over four decades.
“If it were not for the TRA, Taiwan would not be the free, sovereign, and independent country that it is today,” said FAPA Executive Director Chiao-Yun Hsiao in a press release on April 10. To commemorate the anniversary, FAPA published a full-page ad in the Washington Times (see below).
On the same day, Representatives Andy Barr (R-KY), Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA), Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL), and Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus, introduced a bipartisan resolution reaffirming the United States’ commitment to Taiwan and commemorating the 45th anniversary of the enactment of the TRA.
“Now more than ever, it is imperative that the United States stands shoulder to shoulder with Taiwan to celebrate our shared democratic values,” Congressman Gerry Connolly remarked in a press release. “What better way to reaffirm that solidarity than by recognizing the lasting importance of the Taiwan Relations Act, the foundation of our relationship.”
The TRA not only promotes commercial and cultural ties between the U.S. and Taiwan but also declares that peace and stability in the Western Pacific area are in the political, security, and economic interests of the United States. Through the TRA, the U.S. pledges to equip Taiwan with the defense articles necessary to maintain its sufficient self-defense capacity. Similarly, the U.S. also maintains its capacity to resist any resort to force or other forms of coercion that would jeopardize the security of Taiwan’s society and economy.
References:
[1] Office of Gerry Connolly
[2] FAPA
Taiwan President-Elect Lai Ching-te Announces New Cabinet Personnel, Including Foreign Minister
Yesterday evening, Taipei time, Taiwan’s president-elect Lai Ching-te announced appointments to his cabinet. Taiwan’s Premier-designate will be Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰), former DPP Chairman, and the vice premiership will be held by Cheng Li-chun (鄭麗君), former Minister of Culture who had been a top candidate for the DPP’s vice presidential nominee in the January elections.
Kung Min-shin (龔明鑫), the incumbent Minister of the National Development Council, is expected to take on the position of Secretary-General of the Executive Yuan. Chen Shi-kai (陳世凱), Lai’s campaign spokesperson, has been appointed to become the next Spokesperson of the Executive Yuan.
On the much-anticipated appointment of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍), the incumbent Secretary-General to the President and former mayor of Taichung City, confirmed that he has accepted Lai’s appointment for the position.
References:
[1] Focus Taiwan
[2] Liberty Times
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