For Immediate Release
Washington DC – January 9, 2009
Contact: (202) 547-3686
Resolution Calling For Diplomatic Recognition Of Taiwan And End To One China Policy Introduced In U.S. House Of Representatives
Today, during the first week of the new 111th Congress, long-time Taiwan supporter Rep. John Linder (R-GA) introduced a resolution urging the Administration to establish diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Similar resolutions were introduced in 2005 and 2007 by then Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO), who has since retired from Congress. Additionally, the resolution calls for end to the U.S. One China Policy and Taiwan’s full membership in international organizations.
Since 1979, the United States and Taiwan have not had formal diplomatic ties. Instead, U.S.-Taiwan trade and economic relations have been handled through “private” channels, by the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT).
The resolution calls on the President of the United States to (A) abandon the fundamentally flawed `One China Policy’ in favor of a more realistic “One China, One Taiwan Policy” that recognizes Taiwan as a sovereign and independent country, separate from the Communist regime in Beijing; (B) begin the process of resuming normal diplomatic relations with Taiwan; and (C) aggressively support Taiwan’s full participation in the United Nations and any other international organization of which the Unite d States is a member, and for which statehood is a requirement for membership.”
FAPA President Bob Yang, PhD says: “Last Thursday (January 1) marked the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the U.S.-China diplomatic ties. The introduction of Rep. Linder’s resolution during the first week of 2009 when the new Congress gets back to work is extraordinarily poignant as a reaffirmation of United States Congress’ support for Taiwan.”
Yang continues, “Despite the severance of diplomatic ties by the U.S. thirty years ago, Taiwan has flourished into a fledgling democracy with impressive economic achievements. Now that the world knows Taiwan simply as ‘Taiwan’ and recognizes Taiwan as a beacon of freedom, Congress clearly feels the increasing need to ditch the outdated ‘One China’ concept.”
Yang concludes: “U.S. diplomatic recognition of Taiwan is an idea whose time has come. Such separate recognition by the U.S of China and Taiwan can be a model for those nations which seek to align both countries in a mutual co-existing relationship.”
美國國會提出決議案呼籲美台建交，並應廢除一中政策
在美國第111屆國會上任新會期首週，長期支持台灣的林德眾議員隨即於今日提出一決議案，呼籲美國政府承認台灣，與台灣建立外交關係，以展現對台灣民主的支持。決議案並支持台灣在聯合國等國際組織內的完整會員籍。甫退任的唐克多議員過去在第109與110屆會期（2005年與2007年）中便曾兩度提出這項決議案。
林德議員的這項決議案建議美國政府：(A)揚棄一中政策，改採符合現狀的「一中一台」政策以承認台灣為一主權獨立國家；(B) 開始有關與台灣復交等事宜的相關程序；(C)積極支持台灣完整參與聯合國以及美國為會員國等國際組織，即便國家身份為入會資格。
FAPA會長楊英育表示：「上週四(元月一日)適逢美中建交三十週年紀年。林德議員在新國會上任第一週特地選擇提出這項決議案，重申美國國會對台灣的堅定支持，意義格外重大。」
楊英育接著表示：「美國雖然在三十年前與台灣斷交，台灣卻仍蛻變為一經濟傲人的新興民主國家。當今天全世界都知道台灣的名稱就是台灣，加上全球已公認台灣為自由指標之一時，美國國會顯然認為揚棄過時的一中理念越來越有其必要性。」
楊英育最後表示：「美國與台灣建交的時機就是現在。美國如開啓分別承認之例，將可協助其他有意與台灣中國兩國保持良好關係的國家效法美國的典範。」
H.Con.Res.18
