10 Overseas Taiwanese Organizations Publish Ad in Washington Times, Congratulating Taiwan’s Presidential Inauguration and Calling for US-Taiwan Diplomatic Relations

On May 20, Taiwan’s Presidential inauguration day, 10 overseas Taiwanese organizations including the Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA) jointly published a full-page advertisement in the Washington Times to celebrate Taiwan’s democracy and call for U.S. diplomatic recognition of Taiwan.
　
The advertisement outlines Taiwan’s achievements as a beacon of democracy. The three examples cited in the Washington Times reflect three distinct values Taiwan closely follows — freedom, transparency, and human rights.
　
With Taiwan’s hard-won accomplishments, these organizations call for US-Taiwan formal diplomatic relations. They believe that Taiwan’s relationship with the U.S. should not be lumped in with that of North Korea, Iran, and Syria, which also lack diplomatic relations with the United States.
　
FAPA President Minze Chien states: “We have witnessed the gradual normalization in US-Taiwan relations during the past four years. Especially during the current global pandemic where Taiwan contributes significantly to the U.S. combating COVID-19, Taiwan has shown the United States that it is a country that warrants diplomatic recognition. It is time to change the outdated policy and move towards formal US-Taiwan diplomatic relations.”
　
*The 10 overseas Taiwanese organizations that contributed to this advertisement are: North American Taiwanese Medical Association (NATMA), North America Taiwanese Professors’ Association (NATPA), North America Taiwanese Women’s Association (NATWA), Taiwanese Association of America (TAA-USA), World Federation of Taiwanese Associations (WFTA), World Taiwanese Congress(WTC), World United Formosans for Independence – USA Chapter (WUFI-USA), DC Friends of Tsai, Formosan Association for Public Relations (FAPR), Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA)

海外台灣人社團於華盛頓時報刊登廣告，祝賀台灣正副總統就職、呼籲台美建交

十個海外台灣人社團於台灣正副總統就職日，集資於華盛頓時報刊登全版廣告，慶祝台灣的民主，並呼籲台美建交。
　
該廣告羅列台灣在民主上的三項重要成就，其分別反映台灣所代表的三個價值：自由、人權、公開透明。
　
基於台灣難能可貴的民主成就，這些社團共同呼籲美國與台灣建立正式邦交。他們認為台灣在美國政策中的地位，應有別於與同樣無美無邦交的北韓、伊朗與敘利亞等國。
　
FAPA 總會長簡明子表示：「在過去四年，我們見證台美關係逐漸正常化。尤其是在武漢肺炎期間，台灣對美國防疫上的協助與貢獻，證明了台灣值得美國給予外交承認。現在是美國改變那些不合時宜的對台政策，並與台灣建立正式邦交的時刻。」
　
*十個共同出資刊登廣告的海外台灣人社團分別為：北美臺灣人醫師協會、北美洲台灣人教授協會、北美洲臺灣婦女會、全美台灣同鄉會、世界台灣同鄉會聯合會、世界台灣人大會、臺灣獨立建國聯盟美國本部、華府小英後援會、台灣人公共關係會、台灣人公共事務會

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HONORING DR. TSAI ING-WEN — (Extensions of Remarks – May 18, 2016)

[Page: E734] GPO’s PDF

—

SPEECH OF

HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

OF TEXAS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2016

• Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the newly elected president of Taiwan , Dr. Tsai Ing-wen, who will be inaugurated on May 20, 2016. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Dr. Tsai and in applauding Taiwan for completing another presidential election.

• Dr. Tsai Ing-wen, the leader of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), will be Taiwan’s first female president, leading the country to a new chapter of transformation. Taiwan provides an example to be followed in gender equality and women in leadership at its highest level of government. Taiwan has made more progress with gender equality issues than many of its Pacific neighbors, having adopted a law to implement the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in 2011.

• Taiwan is also an important partner to the United States, serving as a democratic beacon of freedom in the Pacific. Democracy is strong and vibrant in Taiwan and we must continue to support these ideals that are so similar to our own. We must remain steadfast in our support of Taiwan even though its future may hold challenges dealing with their neighbors.

• Our shared goal is to provide the basis for long-term peace and prosperity for both of our nations and worldwide. Taiwan , like the U.S., is also a responsible member of the international community and constantly works for the peaceful resolution of disputes. Taiwan has achieved a remarkable reduction of cross-strait tensions, and effectively works for peace, harmony, and civilized conduct by all nations throughout the world.

It is my privilege to travel to Taiwan for Dr. Tsai Ing-wen’s Inauguration in May, 2016. I look forward to supporting our friends there and personally congratulating Dr. Tsai.

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Reassure Taiwan – Rep. Steve Chabot asked Deputy Secretary of State Tony Blinken

On April 28, 2016, the House Foreign Affairs Committee held a hearing with Deputy Secretary of State Tony Blinken as witness.

Long-time friend of Taiwan Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH) asked Blinken what Blinken would say in the aftermath of the election of Dr. Tsai Ing-wen “on behalf of the administration to reassure Taiwan that the United States will have its back.”

This here below is the transcript of the exchange. Link to the video of the full hearing can be found in the first comment section to this post.

(1:23:36) REP. STEVE CHABOT (R-OH): Thank you Madame chair.

Let me begin with Taiwan.

Taiwan is going to be swearing in a new president in May. The DPP will be coming back into power.

Taiwan is –I believe- a very important U.S. ally. And I would also expect the PRC, in all likelihood, to act up and try to throw its weight around. They are after all a classic bully and they want to show their displeasure in this election.

They still have 1600 missiles pointed at Taiwan. And as Congressman Rohrabacher has mentioned, China is in the process of building islands, to the great dismay of all their neighbors and they are militarizing those islands now.

And this is all occurring at a time when this administration, unfortunately, is reducing or trying to reduce the size of our military, including our navy, which I think is just a terrible idea.

We should, I think, clearly, first of all, make sure that Taiwan has a sufficient military and modernized, that they are able to keep China from acting out. I think the only time China ever acts is when they think Taiwan is weak, and when they think that the United States lacks the resolve to defend Taiwan.

What would you say on behalf of the administration to reassure Taiwan that the United States will have its back?

TONY BLINKEN: That you very much, Congressman. First of all, I think, Taiwan has given the world a very vivid illustration of what a democratic election is and of what a democratic transition is. That was a very powerful message.

REP. CHABOT: That is a very good point. I agree.

TONY BLINKEN: I met with the new president [Dr. Tsai Ing-wen]. She came to Washington this past summer. We had a very good meeting with her at the State Department. And we have strongly encouraged the Chinese to engage with her and to engage with Taiwan, in a manner of mutual respect and the flexibility to build on the positive developments in cross-Strait relations over the last decade or so. We hope the Chinese will do that.

Second: We very much agree with you that what has given Taiwan the confidence to engage with mainland China, is the support from the United States, including arms sales. We want to make sure, as have previous administrations, that Taiwan cannot be coerced to doing things against the will of its people. I think we notified something like 14 billion dollars in arms sales since 2010. We continue to look very actively at that.

But with regard to our own posture in the region, as said earlier we have now approximately 60% of our navy in the region. We take very seriously that Taiwan must feel confident if it is to engage from a position of strength with the mainland.

The other thing I think is important and I know that you have been a strong advocate of this, Congressman Chabot, is that we want to make sure that Taiwan and the talents of its people are able to be employed around the world against global challenges. And so part of that is make sure that Taiwan can be represented in international organizations. And we have been working very hard on that. To make sure that in organizations for which statehood is not required for membership, they will be allowed in as members and where statehood IS a requirement they will be able to participate irrespective of whether their statehood is recognized.

So, across the board, we have been working to strengthen our ties with the people of Taiwan, and support its efforts.

REP. CHABOT: Okay, thank you!

For complete video of Congressional hearing in the House Foreign Affairs Committee, see:

Rep. Steve Chabot’s remarks start at 1:23:36

Photo Credit: April Brady/Project on Middle East Democracy (Flickr)

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U.S. Representatives Congratulate President Chen and Vice-President Lu On Eve Of Inauguration

In a letter dated May 19, 55 members of the U.S. House of Representatives -led by Congressional Taiwan Caucus co-chairs Steve Chabot (R-OH) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH)- congratulate Taiwan’s President Chen Shui-bian and Vice President Annette Lu with their March 20 reelection.

The Representatives write: “We write to congratulate you on your election as President of Taiwan and the people of Taiwan for their historic vote to strengthen democracy in Taiwan.”

They affirm their support for Taiwan: “Congress and the American people remain unequivocally committed in their support for the people of Taiwan, and it is important that we highlight this momentous occasion and the unbreakable bond between our two peoples.”

In the letter, the Representatives also issue a warning to Beijing: “We strongly believe that continued statements coming from Beijing threatening to use force against Taiwan are unacceptable.”

They conclude: “Please know that although we seek first and foremost to promote peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, the United States is committed to ensuring that the future of Taiwan be determined peacefully by the people of Taiwan and free from outside threats, intimidation, or interference.”

FAPA President Ming-chi Wu, Ph.D. states: “Not only does this letter congratulate President Chen and Vice President Lu with their reelection victory, it also affirms United States Congress’ firm support for the people of Taiwan and praises them for their deepening of Taiwan’s democracy. And most importantly, it affirms policy recommendations for the U.S.-Taiwan relationship and the cross-strait relationship.”

Wu continues, “The vision Congress holds for the U.S.-Taiwan relationship and the cross-Strait relationship is clearly based on the precondition that Taiwan is an independent, sovereign and democratic country. It is good to know that this vision -as illustrated in this letter- overlaps with the vision and the policies President Chen has for Taiwan.”

520就職典禮前夕，美眾議院聯署致函，恭祝陳呂兩人再度連任

在520就職典禮即將於台灣登場前夕，美國國會55位眾議員在台灣連線共同主席夏波(Steve Chabot, R-OH)與布朗(Sherrod Brown, D-OH)的帶領之下，於今日發表聯署恭賀信函，祝賀陳水扁總統與呂秀蓮副總統兩人再度連任。

議員們在信函中開宗明義地表示：「我們在這裡恭祝您成功（再度）當選為台灣總統；並祝賀台灣人民以歷史性的選票，參與協助民主深化的進程。」議員們接著表示：「美國國會與美國人民將繼續清楚地維持他們對台灣人民的支持的承諾；也因此，強調這個特殊的時刻以及兩國人民之間不可分割的情感是格外重要的。」

這封賀函除了恭賀陳總統連任成功之外，議員們並在信中表達他們對一些台海局勢的看法與建議，並期望美國國會在往後四年，能夠與台灣政府就各項議題繼續合作與密切溝通。

針對中國對台的軍事威脅，議員們則在信中毫不隱藏他們的不滿。議員們表示：「我們深信，北京方面一再欲以武力脅迫台灣的言論是無法令人接受的。」議員們接著表示：「美國信守確保台灣前途必須在不受外力威脅、恐嚇與干涉之下，由台灣人民和平決定的承諾。」

FAPA會長吳明基表示：「這封信函除了恭祝陳總統與呂副總統的成功連任之外，也重申美國國會對台灣人民的堅定支持與對台灣人民高度參與民主深化進程的讚揚。更重要的是，這封信描述了美國國會對未來四年，台海議題與台美關係的政策走向與建議。」吳明基最後表示：「詳細閱讀這封信函，我們佷清楚的可以看出美國國會對於台美關係與兩岸問題的未來發展，是以台灣為一個主權獨立的民主國家為前提與基準。而最值得慶幸的是，美國國會在此封信函中提及的各項建議與願景，其實和扁政府的政策有著相當大的公約數。」

Photo Credit: 台灣總統府官網

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