House Foreign Affairs Committee Unanimously Passes “Six Assurances” Legislation

For Immediate Release
Washington DC – April 20, 2016
Contact: (202) 547-3686

House Foreign Affairs Committee Unanimously Passes “Six Assurances” Legislation

On April 20, 2016 the Foreign Affairs Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives voted and unanimously passed H.Con.Res.88 “Reaffirming the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances as the Cornerstone of United States-Taiwan Relations.”

H.Con.Res.88 was introduced last October by former chairman of the Asian Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH.) It concludes that “It is the sense of Congress that the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances together form the cornerstone of United States relations with Taiwan.”  

The resolution first lauds the importance of the 1979 Taiwan Relations:“April 10, 2015, marked the 36th anniversary of the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act (Public Law 96–8), codifying into law the basis for continued commercial, cultural, and other relations between the United States and the Taiwan.”

The TRA was signed into law during the Carter administration. However, when President Reagan agreed to sign the U.S.-China so-called “Third Shanghai Communiqué” of August 17, 1982, he was disturbed by its possible effect on Taiwan and therefore decided that Taiwan needed to be reassured that the U.S. would not abandon Taiwan. Enter the 1982 Six Assurances.  

Thus, before quoting all Six Assurances verbatim, the resolution reads:“Whereas in 1982 President Reagan wanted to reinforce United States support for Taiwan and therefore issued the Six Assurances.”  

FAPA President Peter Chen states: “To the United States, the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act is not just the “Law of the Land” but the main cornerstone of the U.S.-Taiwan relations. It is now critical that the Six Assurances are seen as the other integral part and cornerstone of U.S.-Taiwan relations.”

Peter Chen concludes: “With the new dawn that has broken in Taiwan this year, it is very appropriate that the foreign affairs committee has put this affirmation of the Six Assurances on the path to confirmation by the full House. Passage of the resolution is a welcome gift to the people of Taiwan and a celebration of their continued commitment to freedom, human rights and democracy.”  

H.Con.Res.88

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