Rep. Peters Votes to Uphold US-Taiwan Relations

Washington, D.C. – On Monday, Rep. Scott Peters (CA-52) helped pass H.Con.Res.88, Reaffirming the Taiwan Relations Act, which reestablishes United States support for the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances—the cornerstone of United States relations with Taiwan.

“Today, we reaffirmed the United States’ long-standing commitment to Taiwan,” said Rep. Peters. “In the last twenty years, Taiwan has established and upheld a democracy, including presidential, legislative and local elections. It is critical we continue to support Taiwan as they pursue these and other democratic values that we in the United States hold so dear.”

Since 1979, the Taiwan Relations Act has authorized commercial and cultural relations between the United States and Taiwan, despite no diplomatic ties between the two countries, as a way to foster peace and stability in the Western Pacific. The Six Assurances refer to six points proposed by Taiwan when the United States negotiated the U.S. – China Joint Communiqué on Arms Sales to Taiwan in 1982.

Congressman Peters serves the 52nd District of California which covers much of central San Diego County including Poway, Coronado, and large portions of the City of San Diego. He is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and House Judiciary Committee. The Congressman is a former environmental attorney, City Council President, and Port Commission Chairman.

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U.S. House Of Representatives Passes Six Assurances Legislation

At 4:40PM on May 16, 2016, H.Con.Res.88 “Reaffirming the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances as the Cornerstone of United States-Taiwan Relations” went to the floor of the full House of Representatives for a vote and passed.

Reps. Royce, Chabot, Engel, Ros-Lehtinen and Carter (GA) spoke in strong bi-partisan support of the resolution during the 20 minute long floor debate. (See: Attached)

HCR88 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 Act (TRA): “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 Third 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.

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.”

Before the resolution reached the floor, key members of Congress had signed onto Congressman Steve Chabot’s resolution as co-sponsors: Reps. Ed Royce, Pete Sessions, Elliot Engel, Chris Smith, Brad Sherman, Dana Rohrabacher, Michael Burgess, Garrett Graves, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Mimi Walters, Randy Weber, Rob Bishop, Matt Salmon, Michael McCaul, Paul Cook, Gerald Connolly, and Ted Yoho.

FAPA President Peter Chen states: “Since the “Six Assurances” were a verbal pledge, this is the first time in history that they reach the floor of Congress in the form of legislation. This adds tremendous weight and momentum to the Six Assurances and further solidifies the US commitment to Taiwan.”
Peter Chen concludes: “With the May 20 inauguration in Taiwan, 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.”

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

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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.”  

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

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