U.S. Representative Introduces U.S.-Taiwan FTA Resolution

Rep. Robert Andrews (D-NJ) yesterday introduced H.Con.Res.342, calling for a free trade agreement between Taiwan and the United States. The resolution lauds Taiwan’s democratic and economic achievements and concludes: “That it is the sense of the Congress that the President should make the conclusion of a free trade agreement between the United States and Taiwan one of the top priorities of the United States when initiating bilateral free trade agreements with foreign countries.”

A similar resolution was introduced by Rep. Jim Ramstad (R-MN) and William Jefferson (D-LA) three years ago in the 108th Congress.

FAPA President C.T. Lee states: “Negotiations on free trade agreements with several Asian countries are under way, such as South Korea and Malaysia. Taiwan is not only the gateway to East Asia but also the eighth largest trading partner of the United States, ranking between South Korea and Malaysia. Taiwan is a model democracy in the region as President Bush stated when he praised Taiwan’s democratic achievements in Kyoto last November. That is why the idea of an FTA with Taiwan has already received a lot of backing from the US Congress.”

C.T. Lee continues: “A US-Taiwan FTA has economic and political advantages. The FTA will bring tremendous opportunities and commercial interests to American companies. Since China attempts to isolate Taiwan by forming ASEAN plus three, an FTA between Taiwan and the United States will help Taiwan break its international economic isolation. Additionally, once an FTA with the United States is concluded, we believe Beijing will be less likely to assume that it could take military action against the island without involving the United States.”

C.T. Lee concludes, “The US trade deficit with China again broke all records last year. Therefore, the President should adjust his current trade policy towards the region. Moving discussions on the US-Taiwan FTA forward is definitely a step in the right direction.”

美議員引進台美自由貿易協定決議案

台灣連線成員之一的安德魯斯眾議員於昨日引進第342號決議號，公開呼籲布希政府支持台美雙邊自由貿易協定。這個決議案，雖然不具法律效力，主要是在建議布希政府優先考慮與台灣簽署雙邊自由貿易協定，並希望布希政府能夠促進與台灣之間的各項貿易機會。

美國國會在三年前也曾引進一個類似的決議案，當時是由傑弗遜(William Jefferson, D-LA)與瑞斯塔(Jim Ramstad, R-MN) 議員在眾議院共同領銜的。

決議案裡提及台灣的各項經濟成就，並強調台灣是美國的第八大貿易夥伴，遠高於新加坡、摩洛哥、約旦、澳洲等已經與美國完成簽署自由貿易協定的國家。決議案裡並引用美國國際貿易委員會2002年10月份的報告，表示台美自由貿易協定一旦完成，美國對台出口將增長十六百分比；國際經濟研究院則預測台美自由貿易協定將使美國對台出口每年度增長六十億美元。

FAPA會長李青泰表示：「美國近來已經與數個亞洲國家，如南韓與馬來西亞等國，展開雙邊自由貿易協定的相關談判。台灣是美國第八大貿易夥伴，介於南韓與馬來西亞之間；希總統去年十一月在京都發表談話時，公開讚揚台灣是東亞的民主模範。這些都是為什麼與台灣簽署自由貿易協定這個議題在美國國會受到廣泛支持的主要原因。」

李青泰接著表示：「台美自由貿易協定不只會為美國許多企業與廠商帶來豐厚的利潤與創造許多機會，這樣的協定也包涵著重要的政治意義。當中國藉由東南亞國協加三等區域經貿整合圈來刻意排除台灣時，台美自由貿易協定將有效協助台灣打破在國際經貿上所受到的孤立。有些學者則強調，如果台美之間有著雙邊自由貿易協定，將大幅減低北京攻打台灣的可能性。」

李青泰最後表示：「根據日前所公佈的數據，美國對中國的貿易逆差又再創新高。布希總統應修正現有對亞洲的經貿政策，推動台美貿易協定即是行政部門應採取的正確方向之一。」

Photo Credit: 冠庭（Flickr）

The post U.S. Representative Introduces U.S.-Taiwan FTA Resolution appeared first on Formosan Association for Public Affairs.

U.S. Representative Introduces Legislation Calling For U.S.-Taiwan High-Level Military Exchange/Urging Taiwan To Decide Future Through Referendum

One week after the Pentagon released its annual assessment report on China’s military power, Congressman Robert Andrews (D-NJ) introduced a resolution (H.Con.Res. 219) in the evening of July 27 calling for the enhancement of Taiwan’s security by upgrading U.S.-Taiwan high-level military visits and supporting a referendum as the ultimate mechanism to determine Taiwan’s future.

The resolution concludes that:

(3) the President should abolish all restrictions on visits by United States military high-level officials to Taiwan to help safeguard United States security interests in the region; and (5) the future of Taiwan should be determined free from coercion by the People’s Republic of China, peacefully, and with the express consent of the people of Taiwan through a democratic mechanism such as a referendum.

The resolution also makes references to the Taiwan Relations Act and to the recently published DOD report: Whereas in a July 19, 2005 report, the Department of Defense stated that ‘‘[t]he cross-Strait balance of power is shifting towards Beijing . . . Chinese air, naval and missile force modernization is increasing demands on Taiwan to develop countermeasures that would enable it to avoid being quickly overwhelmed.’’

Finally, the resolution calls upon the president to authorize the sale of Aegis to Taiwan: “for (4) the President should authorize the sale of the Aegis system to Taiwan, which would enable Taiwan to defend itself against the threat of a missile attack by the People’s Republic of China.”

FAPA President Ming-chi Wu states: “The serious lack of direct communication between senior military officials in Taiwan and the U.S. needs to be addressed immediately. This is not only in Taiwan’s interest but also in U.S. interest, because the current restrictions pose a great danger to the American soldiers who would put their lives on the line if and when a conflict arises in the Taiwan Strait. Should the U.S. need to intervene in a Taiwan Strait crisis, an effective contingency plan requires smooth and seamless coordination between the Taiwanese and U.S. military. The introduction of this resolution by Rep. Andrews is therefore timely and necessary.”

Wu concludes: “Rep. Andrews was one of the 36 Members of Congress who signed an open letter to the people of Taiwan during the March 2004 presidential elections in which the Members of Congress concluded: “You have earned the right to hold exclusive responsibility for determining the future of Taiwan and to exercise democratic processes. This includes holding referenda free from intimidation or threat of force from any country including communist China.” It is encouraging to see that he has now decided to put this concept into legislation.”

美眾議員提出決議案，呼籲台美高層軍事交流，支持公民投票決定台灣前途

在美國國防部公佈中國軍力年度報告近十天之後，台灣連線成員之一的眾議員安德魯斯(Robert Andrews, D-NJ)特於27日晚間提出第 219 號決議案(H.Con.Res.219)，呼籲加強台灣安全，提昇台美軍事高層官員互訪、交流，並支持公民投票為決定台灣前途的唯一依歸。

安德魯斯議員的第219號決議案引述了台灣關係法部份條文，以及美國國防部日前公佈的中國軍力年度報告，以突顯出台海地區的和平與穩定受到中國的挑戰。決議案表示：台海的權力平衡正在向北京傾斜…..中國的空、海與飛彈軍力現代化，迫使台灣必需發展因應措施的需求增加，以防止被中國快速擊潰。決議案也表示：由於美國政府劃地自限的限制，美國將領無法參訪台灣，與台灣軍官定期見面；缺乏台美高層軍事交流，將會導致屆時美軍介入台海爭端時，美軍緊急因應措施效率大受影響。

決議案最後建議：（美國）總統應該全面解除美國高層軍事人員訪台的限制，以協助確保美國在當地的區域利益；總統應該授權出售神盾級驅逐艦，使台灣得以抵抗中華人民共和國的飛彈威脅。決議案最後並支持台灣前途和平解決，透過如公民投票等民主程序，獲得台灣人民的同意。

FAPA會長吳明基表示：「台美之間軍事交流嚴重短缺的這個問題一定要立即解決。這不僅符合台灣的利益，也符合美國的利益。如果美國必須介入台海危機，一個有效的緊急應變措施，勢必需要台美兩國軍隊的合作無間。但是，現存台美高層軍事官員互訪的限制，屆時只會對美國子弟兵的生命造成威脅。這是美國國會首次在決議案中公開呼籲美國總統全面解除台美高層軍事官員互訪的限制。」

吳明基繼續表示：「此外，這個決議案也再度重申美國國會支持台灣人民行使公民投票的權利。今年三月中旬，逾三十位眾議員曾公開致函台灣人民，鼓勵他們參與台灣史上首次公民投票的舉行；安德魯斯議員便是三十多位議員之一。」

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

The post U.S. Representative Introduces Legislation Calling For U.S.-Taiwan High-Level Military Exchange/Urging Taiwan To Decide Future Through Referendum appeared first on Formosan Association for Public Affairs.

Congress Passes Resolution Condemning Chinese Anti-Secession Law

In light of the recent passage of the Anti-Secession Law by China’s National People’s Congress, Chairman of International Relations Committee Henry Hyde and the Committee’s ranking member Tom Lantos introduced H.Con.Res.98 last night along with a handful committee members, expressing grave concerns about this provocative action by the Chinese. The resolution will be passed this afternoon with the suspension calendar.

The original co-sponsors of the resolution are: Chris Smith, Dan Burton, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Dana Rohrabacher, Steve Chabot, Darrell Issa, Jo Ann Davis, Joe Wilson and Connie Mack.

The resolution concludes that:

(1) the anti-secession law of the People’s Republic of China provides a legal justification for the use of force against Taiwan, altering the status quo in the region, and thus is of grave concern to the United States;

(2) the President of the United States should direct all appropriate officials of the United States Government to reflect the grave concern with which the United States views the passage of China’s anti- secession law in particular, and the growing Chinese military threats to Taiwan in general, to their counterpart officials in the Government of the People’s Republic of China;

(3) the Government of the United States should reaffirm its policy that the future of Taiwan should be resolved by peaceful means and with the consent of the people of Taiwan; and (4) the Government of the United States should continue to encourage dialogue between Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China.

FAPA President Ming-chi Wu, Ph.D. says, “The introduction of H.Con.Res.98 followed by its passage on the House floor today was expected and due. The Chinese embassy in the U.S. has repeatedly rejected Chairman Hyde and others’ request for the text of the Anti-Secession Law. The government of China then passed the legislation dismissing continued warnings from the United States.”

Wu continues: “The passage of H.Con.Res.98 seems to serve the similar purpose as H.Res.57, a resolution passed prior to President Bush’s trip to Europe, urging the EU to maintain its arms embargo on China. H.Con.Res 98 sends a strong message to China that the United States is extremely concerned about the Anti-Secession Law because the law has seriously compromised the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and American security interests in the region. This resolution gives a strong backing for Secretary Rice during her first visit to China as Secretary of State.”

美眾議院通過第98號決議案，讉責反分裂國家法

在眾議院國際關係委員會主席海德的帶領之下，美國眾議院於昨晚提出第98號決議案，此決議案隨將於今日下午通過，抨擊中國日前所通過的反分裂國家法一事。

這個決議案並獲得其他多位國際關係委員會的成員們的聯署，他們分別為Chris Smith, Dan Burton, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Dana Rohrabacher, Steve Chabot, Darrell Issa, Jo Ann Davis, Joe Wilson, Connie Mack。

決議案表示：「中國的反分裂國家法為武力犯台提供一個合法藉口，並將改變區域現狀，因而為美國所嚴重關切。美國總統應指示美國政府相關人員向中國政府官員表達美國政府對於中國對台灣持續擴張的軍事威脅，尤其是中國通過反分裂國家法的嚴重關切。」接著，決議案表示：「美國政府應該重申其政策為台灣前途終須和平解決，並獲得台灣人民的同意。美國政府應該繼續鼓勵台灣與中國的對話。」

FAPA會長吳明基表示：「今天這個決議案的通過為意料之中的事。中國駐美大使館一再拒絕海德主席等議員的要求，不願公佈反分裂國家法的內容，最後仍然一意孤行於人大會通過這個法律。吳明基接著表示：「就好像眾議院於布希總統訪問歐洲之際通過第57號決議案，呼籲歐盟不要解除對中軍售禁運；眾議院今日在萊絲即將訪問中國之際通過第98號決議案，也是有意給萊絲一個有力的後盾，讓萊絲帶著這個政治信息到北京，表達美國政府對於中國執意通過反分裂國家法的不滿。」

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

The post Congress Passes Resolution Condemning Chinese Anti-Secession Law appeared first on Formosan Association for Public Affairs.

U.S. Representatives Introduce Legislation Calling For End To One China Policy

On February 16, Reps. Tancredo (R-CO) and International Relations Subcommittee Chair Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Mark Souder (R-IN), Edolphus Towns (D-NY), and John Shimkus (R-IL) introduced HCR 69 concluding that “the President of the United States should abandon the fundamentally flawed ‘‘One China Policy’’ in favor of a more realistic ‘‘One China, One Taiwan Policy’’ that recognizes the Republic of China on Taiwan as a sovereign government, separate from the Communist regime in Beijing.”

In a clear reference to former Secretary of State Colin Powell’s and former Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage’s remarks last year that Taiwan is not a sovereign state, the resolution further states that “President Ronald Reagan issued the ‘‘Six Assurances’’ to Taiwan in July 1982, including the assurance that ‘‘[t]he United States would not formally recognize Chinese sovereignty over Taiwan’’

The resolution also concludes that “Taiwan should be permitted to participate as a full member in international organizations for which statehood is a requirement for membership.”

FAPA president Ming-chi Wu, Ph.D. says: “With the Anti-Secession Law looming, this resolution calling for an end to the One China policy comes at a crucial time. The very existence of the Anti Secession Law illustrates the danger the One China Policy poses. With the U.S. acknowledging Beijing’s claim over Taiwan, as laid down in the One China Policy, the One China policy poses dangerous ramifications for Taiwan’s security. If the US would abolish the One China Policy and thus abolish its acknowledgment of Beijing’s claim over Taiwan, there would be zero US tolerance for Beijing’s threat to use force against Taiwan. And, most importantly, there would have been no Anti Secession Law.”

美眾議員提出決議案，呼籲揚棄一中政策，改採一中一台政策

眾議員唐克多(Thomas Tancredo, R-C))於2月16日，與蘿絲列敦娜(Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-FL)、寨得爾(Mark Souder, R-IN)，湯斯(Edolphus Towns, D-NY)與史科斯 (John Shimkus, R-IL)等數位議員共同提出第69號決議案，呼籲美國總統廢除本質上有嚴重瑕疵的「一中政策」，並改以「一中一台政策」取而代之，承認台灣為一主權完整，獨立於北京共產政權之外的國家。

這個決議案很明顯是回應前國務卿鮑威爾，與前副國務卿阿米塔吉在去年底宣稱台灣不是一個主權國家的不當言論，也因此，這個決議案裡很清楚地引用了雷根總統的「六項保證」來反駁前面兩者的言論，因為根據六項保證之一，美國並沒有正式承認中國對台灣的主權。

這幾位議員們並藉由這個決議案呼籲美國政府應該開始展開與台灣關係正常化的相關程序，並支持台灣參與所有的國際組織。

FAPA會長吳明基表示：「正當中國即將在下個月通過反分裂國家法之際，唐克多議員等人要求美國政府廢除一中政策，並以一中一台政策取而代之，這個決議案來得正是時候。反分裂國家的存在，突顯出美國一中政策的危險。因為如果當美國認知中國對台灣的主權時，正如現在模糊的一中政策所宣稱地，則一中政策本身藏著嚴重影響台灣安全的隱憂。

吳明基接著表示：「如果美國廢除一中政策，就表示美國不認同北京擁有對台灣主權，也就表示著美國絕不會容許北京對台灣有任何動武的舉動；如果是這樣，中國今天也就不會引進所謂的反分裂國家法來威脅台灣了。」

Photo Credit: Wally Gobetz (Flickr)

The post U.S. Representatives Introduce Legislation Calling For End To One China Policy appeared first on Formosan Association for Public Affairs.

U.S. House of Representatives Passes Legislation In Opposition of EU’s Plans to Lift Its Arms Embargo on People’s Republic of China

On February 2, 2005, the House of Representatives passed H.Res.57 with an overwhelming vote of 411 against 3, “urging the European Union to maintain its arms embargo on the People’s Republic of China.” The resolution was introduced yesterday by chairman of the House International Relations Committee Henry Hyde (R-IL), ranking Member on the Committee Tom Lantos (D-CA), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), and Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI)

The resolution refers to the PRC missile build-up in Fukien province: “Whereas for several years the People’s Republic of China has also been engaged in an extensive military buildup in its air, naval, land, and outer space systems, including the deployment of approximately 500 short range ballistic missiles near the Taiwan Strait according to the Department of Defense’s Report on the Military Power of the People’s Republic of China for Fiscal Year 2004.” It also states that the PRC military expansion constitutes a threat not only to US forces in the region, but also to “United States commitments and interests related to the defense of numerous friends and allies in the region, particularly Taiwan and Japan, and regional stability more broadly.”

The resolution also does not hold back on condemning China’s preference to use force to solve disputes, and it points out clearly that the security of Taiwan is in the U.S. national interest. “The United States has numerous national interests in the Asia-Pacific region, including the security of Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and other key areas, and the United States Armed Forces which are deployed throughout the region could be jeopardized by the PRC because it is increasingly well-armed and may seek to settle long-standing territorial and political disputes in the region by the threat or use of military force.”

The resolution, while non-binding, requests “the President in his forthcoming meeting with European leaders to urge that they reconsider this unwise course of action.” It further requests that the President “inform Congress of the outcome of his discussions with European leaders on this subject and to keep “Congress fully and currently informed of all developments in this regard.”

Rep. Hilda Solis (D-CA) issued a statement in support of the resolution, stating: “I support this embargo, as I believe it helps ensure peace in the region and deters China from the use of arms against Taiwan. In the world we live in we should strive to ensure peace, liberty and democracy.”

FAPA President Ming-chi Wu, Ph.D. states: “According to our sources the lifting of the Chinese Arms Embargo by the EU is not a matter of “if” but of “when.” The trend towards lifting the embargo seems hard to stop.”

He adds: “We understand that Congress passed this resolution today giving President Bush a political message to show to the Europeans later this month, during his Europe trip. Depending on how the Europeans react, we at FAPA will consider seeking the introduction of additional legislative measures that might be more forceful, trying to stop this ship from further sinking. Because a lifting of the embargo will have devastating implications to American interests in the region and to the security of future generations of Taiwanese to come.”

美眾議院高票通過決議案，呼籲歐盟繼續維持對中國軍售禁令

美眾議院於今日以411票對3票，高票通過第57號決議案(H.RES.57)，呼籲歐盟繼續維持對中國的軍售禁令。此決議案是在昨日由國際關係委員會主席海德(Henry Hyde, R-IL)，聯合其他三位國關委員會成員，包括日前訪台的民主黨資深委員會成員藍托斯(Tom Lantos, D-CA)，蘿斯列敦娜(Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-FL)，與麥卡特(Thaddeus McCotter, R-MI)，共同引進。

此決議案綜括美國反對歐盟解除對中國軍售限制的各項原因，但是將重點著墨在美國的東亞戰略安全利益，明白指出美國的利益以及其對維持東亞和平與穩定的承諾，將因歐盟解除對中國的軍售限制受到嚴重威脅，台灣安全即是其中一例。

「根據美國國防部2004年中國軍力研究報告，過去幾年來，中國積極提昇其空，海，陸與太空方面的軍事裝備，包括在臨近台灣海峽地區佈署五百枚的短程彈道飛彈。」決議案接著表示，中國的軍事擴張不僅對美國在當地駐軍構成挑戰，「美國對於其當地友邦與盟友的承諾與利益，尤其是台灣與日本，以及區域穩定」，都一併受到威脅。

決議案也亳不隱藏其對中國可能使用武力的疑慮：「美國在亞太地區有著諸多國家利益，包括日本、台灣、南韓及其他重要地區，加上美國在當地的駐軍，都有可能因此受到中國的威脅，因為中國的軍力將逐漸增強，而且可能使用威脅或武力的方式來解決長期的領土與政治紛爭。」

決議案最後並要求布希總統在即將啓程的歐洲之旅中，呼籲歐洲領導人重新考慮這個不智之舉；並要求布希總統自歐洲返國後，告知國會他與歐洲領導人就此議題的會晤結果，並全盤與隨時知會國會這個議題的最新動態。

對台灣一向友好的加州眾議員索拉絲(Hilda Solis, D-CA)也特地發表聲明，她的聲明表示：「我支持這個禁運限制，因為我相信這將會確保區域和平，並嚇阻中國武力犯台。在這個世界，我們應該奮力確保和平、自由與民主。」

FAPA會長吳明基表示：「根據多方消息，歐盟解除對中國的軍售限制已經不是『會不會』，而是『什麼時候』。看來這似乎對台灣是個凶多吉少的消息。不過，FAPA定將繼續敦促美國國會就此議題繼續抗議。」

吳明基接著表示：「美國國會今天通個第57號決議案，主要的用意是讓即將在下週出訪歐洲的布希總統能夠帶著這個『政治訊息』，向歐洲領導人表達美國國會對這個議題的嚴重關切之意。現在就等布希的歐洲之旅成果如何，FAPA在近日已與數位國會友人積極聯絡，不排除在布希總統返國後，就這個議題引進類似文字但是具有法律效力的議案。因為，歐盟一旦解除對中國軍售的禁令限制，不僅美國在亞太地區的利益受到嚴重威脅之外，台灣後代子子孫孫的安全保障都將受到無法挽回的偒害。」

The post U.S. House of Representatives Passes Legislation In Opposition of EU’s Plans to Lift Its Arms Embargo on People’s Republic of China appeared first on Formosan Association for Public Affairs.