Congress Urges Secretary Kerry To Start 2014 Taiwan Policy Review Process

In a letter dated September 23, 2014, 29 members of the House of Representatives led by House Foreign Affairs Committee Edward Royce (R-CA) called up Secretary of State John Kerry to start the process of conducting a 2014 Taiwan Policy Review. The members write: “[W]e feel strongly that there is a need today to undertake a new and thorough Taiwan Policy Review, laying the basis for further expanding relations with Taiwan and thereby enhancing continued peace and stability in the region.”

The following Representatives signed the letter: Ed Royce (R-CA), Steve Chabot (R-OH), Pete Sessions (R-TX), Michael McCaul (R-TX), Richard Hanna (R-NY), Randy Weber (R-TX), Paul Cook (R-CA), Ted Yoho (R-FL), Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), Steve Stivers (R-OH), Collin Peterson (D-MN), Leonard Lance (R-NJ), Bill Johnson (R-OH), Scott Garrett (R-NJ), Kenny Marchant (R-TX), Luke Messer (R-IN), James Lankford (R-OK), Howard Coble (R-NC), George Holding (R-NC), Todd Rokita (R-IN), Chris Smith (R-NJ), Ted Poe (R-TX) and Matt Cartwright (D-PA), David Schweikert (R-AZ), Steve Stockman (R-TX) ,Blake Farenthold (R-TX), Marsha Backburn (R-TN), J. Randy Forbes (R-VA), and Doug LaMalfa (R-CA).

The letter continues: “In 1979, when we shifted diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing, Taiwan was ruled by a government claiming to represent China. When the United States conducted its last Taiwan Policy Review in 1994, Taiwan was just starting to emerge as a full democracy. […] Over these past two decades, the people of Taiwan have consolidated their democracy, and established a vibrant and pluralistic democracy in their country…”

It concludes: “We thank you for your leadership and look forward to working with you on this important and timely project which will enhance our relationship with an important democratic ally.”

FAPA President Mark Kao, PhD states: “With the geopolitical shifts that have taken place in the Pacific during the past years, and with the 2013 U.S. rebalancing commitment to Asia, a second Taiwan Policy Review is overdue. Such a review should include a U.S. commitment: – to the principle that the future of Taiwan should be determined peacefully and by the people of Taiwan, – to U.S. support for Taiwan’s membership in all international organizations, – to the lifting of all restrictions on high-level visits from and to Taiwan, and to the sale of advanced weapons to Taiwan.”

美國國會呼籲凱瑞國務卿著手進行2014年台灣政策檢討報告

以眾議院外交事務委員會主席、加州共和黨議員羅伊斯為首的29名眾議員，於9月23日共同連署致函美國國務卿凱瑞（John Kerry），要求凱瑞著手進行2014年台灣政策檢討報告。該信函寫道：「我們強烈地認為現在必須重新詳細地檢視我們當前的台灣政策，並為越趨密切的台美關係立下新的根基，以持續提升區域和平與穩定。」

簽署該信的眾議員除羅伊斯議員外，尚有以下28位議員：Steve Chabot (R-OH)、Pete Sessions (R-TX)、Michael McCaul (R-TX)、Richard Hanna (R-NY)、Randy Weber (R-TX)、Paul Cook (R-CA)、Ted Yoho (R-FL)、Alan Lowenthal (D-CA)、Steve Stivers (R-OH)、Collin Peterson (D-MN)、Leonard Lance (R-NJ)、Bill Johnson (R-OH)、Scott Garrett (R-NJ)、Kenny Marchant (R-TX)、Luke Messer (R-IN)、James Lankford (R-OK)、Howard Coble (R-NC)、George Holding (R-NC)、Todd Rokita (R-IN)、Chris Smith (R-NJ)、Ted Poe (R-TX)、Matt Cartwright (D-PA)、David Schweikert (R-AZ)、Steve Stockman (R-TX)、Blake Farenthold (R-TX)、Marsha Backburn (R-TN)、J. Randy Forbes (R-VA)、Doug LaMalfa (R-CA)。

信中也提道：「我們於1979年改承認北京政府時，台灣受控於一個宣稱代表全中國的政府。我們於1994年提交上一份台灣政策檢討報告的時候，台灣才剛轉型成為民主社會。過去二十年中，台灣人整合了自己的民主，並成為一個活躍且多元的民主國家。」

該信總結：「我們感謝您過去的領導，並期望可以在這個重要且急迫的計畫上與您一同合作。這個計畫將會協助提升我們與一個重要的民主伙伴（台灣）的關係。」

台灣人公共事務會會長高龍榮博士表示：「有鑑於太平洋地區在過去幾年中所發生的地理政治變動，加上美國政府於2013年提出的亞洲再平衡計畫，美國政府早就應該重新檢視其對台政策。新的台灣政策檢討報告中，美國也應承諾：一、堅守『台灣的未來應由台灣人民以和平的方式決定』的原則；二、美國國會支持台灣以會員身分加入所有國際組織；三、取消台美雙方高級官員不得互訪的限制；四、美國會賣給台灣先進武器。」

Photo Credit: Official Website of Department of State

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