Taiwan Relations Act Archives - Formosan Association for Public Affairs

ACTION: Thank Congress for Foreign Aid to Taiwan!

Harper Chen — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 21:57:20 +0000

(This Petition Is Closed)

Thank Your Members of Congress for Foreign Aid to Taiwan!

On April 23, the Senate overwhelmingly passed a $95 billion foreign aid package on emergency appropriations, including provisions to “divest or ban” TikTok. The next day, April 24, President Biden signed the bill into law.

What Does This Bill Do?

The package allocates US$8.1 billion for Indo-Pacific security, including US$2 billion in foreign military financing for Taiwan and other key allies in the region;
This Act provides US$1.9 billion to replenish defense articles and defense services provided to Taiwan and regional partners;
This Act includes US$542 million to strengthen U.S. military capabilities in the region.

How Can You Help: Email Your Members of Congress

It is easy and can be done in 3 minutes!

Fill in the form below and click the “Take Action” button.
You will see your Congress Members’ names and two draft email templates. Feel free to edit them.
For the first petition email sent to your House Representative, we strongly encourage you to customize it by adding your Representative’s name to the first line of this email. (NOTE: you don’t need to sign your name, nor add your address at the bottom of the petition text box. ONLY fill out the form. Your name and address will be automatically added to your letter by the Salsa system.)
For the second petition email sent to your Senators, the same email will be sent to both of them — so please do NOT add Senators’ names to the first line of the second email. (NOTE: again, you don’t need to sign your name, nor add your address to the email.)
Click the “Send Email” button, and our system will send the emails directly to the offices of your members of Congress.

After sending the emails, please share the petition information with your friends and family, and invite them to join the campaign. We can make a change if we work together!

** If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to FAPA at home@fapa.org. **

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Beyond Strategic Clarity: Biden Should Make Clear to Xi That Taiwan Is Not Part of China

Chih-Jung Huang — Sun, 13 Nov 2022 15:35:31 +0000

By Chih-Jung Huang (黃致榮) | FAPA Policy Fellow

U.S. President Joe Biden is scheduled to hold talks with China’s paramount leader Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Indonesia on November 14, 2022 — their first in-person meeting since Biden took office in January 2021. We at the Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA) call on the Biden administration to reassess the One China Policy, which has provided China with a distorted justification for its claims on Taiwan.

On September 18, 2022, President Biden pledged that the U.S. forces would defend Taiwan if China invaded. The comments marked the clearest statement and the fourth time since his taking of office that Biden vowed that the U.S. would defend Taiwan militarily, effectively ending so-called U.S. “strategic ambiguity” on Taiwan’s defense.

When asked about what Xi should know about the U.S. commitment to Taiwan, Biden said that “[we] agree with what we signed onto a long time ago [with the People’s Republic of China (PRC)]” and that “there’s One China Policy.”

We believe that when dealing with Taiwan, the U.S. should focus more on the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) and the 1982 Six Assurances rather than the U.S.-PRC Three Joint Communiques — the basis of the U.S. One China Policy.

The U.S. “One China Policy” — which, though merely “acknowledges” China’s position over Taiwan — is not only misleading but also dangerous. It misleads the general public and international community into thinking that the U.S. “recognizes” the Chinese claim of sovereignty over Taiwan. It also emboldens China to invade and annex Taiwan by force.

As China continues to increase its military aggression and hasten an invasion of Taiwan, it is now time for Biden and his administration to publicly revitalize the U.S.’s longstanding position on Taiwan’s undetermined status, and make clear to Xi, the PRC, and the world that Taiwan is not part of China and use collective deterrence to prevent China’s invasion of Taiwan.

U.S. Longstanding Position on Taiwan’s “Undetermined” Status

Since the Japanese surrender to the Allied Powers in 1945, the United States has long maintained the position that China has never acquired sovereignty over Taiwan and that Taiwan’s international status remains “unsettled” or “undetermined.” Statements from various U.S. officials in the early post-war period attest to this point.

On November 21, 1946, the U.S. Department of State informed the Republic of China’s Embassy in the U.S. that “from the legal standpoint the transfer of Taiwan’s sovereignty remains to be formalized.” On April 15, 1949, Michael J. McDermott, Special Assistant to the Secretary of State for Press Relations, also stated that “[Taiwan’s] final status will be determined by the peace treaty if and when we get one” with Japan.

As Secretary of State John Foster Dulles explained on December 1, 1954, “technical sovereignty over Formosa and the Pescadores [i.e., Penghu islands] has never been settled. That is because the Japanese Peace Treaty merely involves a renunciation by Japan of its right and title to these islands. But the future title is not determined by the Japanese Peace Treaty nor is it determined by the Peace Treaty which was concluded between the Republic of China and Japan.”

Prior to 1970, the U.S. State Department repeatedly testified to Congress that the legal status of Taiwan remained “unsettled.” The State Department also wrote to the Senate during hearings in 1969 and 1970 that: “In neither [the San Francisco Peace Treaty of 1951 nor the Taipei Peace Treaty of 1952] did Japan cede this area [of Taiwan and the Pescadores] to any particular entity. As Taiwan and the Pescadores are not covered by any existing international disposition, sovereignty over the area is an unsettled question subject to future international resolution.”

Problems With the One China Policy

While the U.S. has never accepted China’s claim over Taiwan, its One China Policy is confusing and has led to dangerous misinterpretations. Its origins lie in a series of communications between the U.S. and China prior to their normalization of relations.

In the 1972 Shanghai Communique, the United States declared that it “acknowledges” — rather than “recognizes” — that “all Chinese on either side of the Taiwan Strait” maintain there is but one China and that Taiwan is a part of China, and also that the U.S. Government “does not challenge that position.”

When negotiating the Chinese translation of the U.S. policy statements in the Shanghai Communique, the Nixon administration insisted to the Chinese that the verb “acknowledge” be translated as “renshidao” (takes note of) instead of “chengren” (recognize) to make clear that the U.S. itself did not accept the Chinese position and territorial claim over Taiwan.

In the 1979 Normalization Communique, the U.S. again only “acknowledges” the Chinese position that there is but one China and Taiwan is part of China. And in the August 17, 1982 Communique, the U.S. just stated that it had already “acknowledged” the Chinese position of one China and Taiwan is part of China.

Although the U.S. did not “recognize” or “accept” the PRC’s territorial claim over Taiwan in the three U.S.-PRC Joint Communiques, the communiques’ statements gave the PRC an unnecessary opportunity to distort the U.S. position by equating a position of acknowledgment with one of recognition.

As such, the U.S. should abolish the One China Policy, as it provides the PRC with a legal “justification” to invade and annex Taiwan. Through a distortion of this confusing policy, the PRC has accused the U.S. of violating China’s territorial integrity and its sovereignty over Taiwan. Indeed, they often point to the joint communiques as evidence that the U.S. has “recognized” its claims over Taiwan.

Instead, the U.S. should rely on the Taiwan Relations Act and Six Assurances to define its relationship with Taiwan. The TRA has guided U.S. policy toward Taiwan in the absence of a diplomatic relationship since 1979. In passing the TRA, Congress mandated that Taiwan be treated like an independent sovereign country for the purposes of U.S. law: “Whenever the laws of the United States refer or relate to foreign countries, nations, states, governments, or similar entities, such terms shall include and such laws shall apply with such respect to Taiwan.” When emphasizing the One China Policy, however, this reality is often neglected.

The 1982 Six Assurances, too, has been adhered to by all subsequent U.S. administrations, assuring that the U.S. “[has] not altered its position regarding sovereignty over Taiwan.” Since 2016, Congress has passed several pieces of legislation reaffirming that the Six Assurances, together with the TRA, form the “cornerstone” of U.S. relations with Taiwan. Both the Trump and Biden administrations have explicitly recognized the Six Assurances as a cornerstone of U.S. policy toward Taiwan. Going forward, the U.S. should emphasize the TRA and Six Assurances, which are formal documents, rather than the One China Policy, which has provided the PRC with a pretext for annexing Taiwan.

The Biden Administration Should Challenge China’s Claim over Taiwan

The world has undergone dramatic changes since the 1970s, and the One China Policy no longer reflects current realities. Taiwan is now a vibrant democratic country, while China has become openly aggressive and belligerent. Polls consistently show that most Taiwanese identify themselves as “Taiwanese” rather than Chinese. The “One China Policy” is outdated.

The U.S.’s entire “One China” concept and its decision to establish diplomatic ties with the PRC (and cut off official ties with Taiwan) were predicated on Beijing’s commitment to resolve its differences with Taiwan peacefully. However, in the past five decades, Beijing has torn up its promises and routinely threatened to annex Taiwan by force.

The Taiwan Relations Act specifies that it is the U.S. policy to consider any non-peaceful means to determine the future of Taiwan “a threat” to the peace and security of the Western Pacific and of “grave concern” to the United States. It has also made clear that the U.S.’s decision to establish diplomatic relations with the PRC rests upon the expectation that the future of Taiwan “will be determined” by peaceful means.

Since China has significantly increased its military capability and seeks to accelerate its annexation of Taiwan, it has been long overdue for the U.S. to abandon its confusing and dangerous One China Policy, as the policy — as laid down in the three communiques — is supposed to be conditional on China’s peaceful approach to Taiwan.

Even if the U.S. is not prepared to formally recognize Taiwan’s independent statehood, President Biden should restate the U.S. longstanding position on Taiwan’s “undetermined” status when he meets with Xi, making clear that the U.S. regards that Taiwan is not part of China and that Taiwan’s status and future should be determined peacefully in accordance with the wishes and best interests of the people of Taiwan.

This article is first published in News Lens (2022/11/13)

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H.Con.Res.88 – Statement released by Congressman Scott Peters

June Lin — Tue, 17 May 2016 02:47:00 +0000

For Immediate Release
Washington DC – May 17, 2016
Contact: (202) 547-3686

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.

H.Con.Res.88

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

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U.S. House Of Representatives Passes Six Assurances Legislation

Minze Chien — Mon, 16 May 2016 17:35:25 +0000

For Immediate Release
Washington DC – May 16, 2016
Contact: (202) 547-3686

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

June Lin — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 00:14:00 +0000

For Immediate Release
Washington DC – April 20, 2016
Contact: (202) 547-3686

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.”

H.Con.Res.88

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

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U.S. Congressman Introduces Legislation Affirming Six Assurances As Cornerstone Of U.S.-Taiwan Relations

June Lin — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 19:36:00 +0000

For Immediate Release
Washington DC – October 29, 2015
Contact: (202) 547-3686

U.S. Congressman Introduces Legislation Affirming Six Assurances As Cornerstone Of U.S.-Taiwan Relations

On October 28^th 2015, former chairman of the Asian Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH) introduced legislation HCR-88 titled: “Reaffirming the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances as the Cornerstone of United States-Taiwan Relations.”

It concludes 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:“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 Taiwan.” The TRA was signed into law during the Carter administration.

美眾議員提決議案確認「六大保證」為台美關係基石

前外交事務委員會亞太事務小組委員會主席、俄亥俄州共和黨眾議員夏波（Steve Chabot），於10月28日提出名為「重新確認『台灣關係法』與『六大保證』為台美關係基石」之決議案。

該決議案總結道：「『台灣關係法』與『六大保證』共同組成台美關係之基石。」

決議案首先讚揚1979立法通過的「台灣關係法」：「2015年4月10日為「台灣關係法」（第96屆國會第8號公法）立法通過的第36年。此法將美國與台灣之間的貿易、文化，以及其他雙邊關係編簒入法。」「台灣關係法」於卡特任美國總統時簽署立法。

然而，雷根總統於1982年8月17日同意簽署所謂的美中「上海公報」時，對此公報對台灣潛在的影響甚感憂慮。因此，雷根總統決定提出「六大保證」，重新向台灣保證美國不會放棄台灣。

因此，決議案在逐字列出「六大保證」前，寫道：「雷根總統於1982年，為重新表達美國對台灣的支持，而提出『六大保證』。」

台灣人公共事務會會長高龍榮博士表示：「中國對於與美國之間的協議總是以其單方面解讀為準。他們只願提及『中美三個聯合公報』，並聲稱在『一個中國』原則之下，台灣一直都是中國的一部分。事實上，中華人民共和國從來不曾擁有台灣的主權。」

高博士總結道：「對美國來說，『台灣關係法』不只是一部國內法，更是台美關係的基石。現在，『六大保證』也應該被視為台美關係另外一個不可或缺的基石。」

H.Res.Con.88

Chabot

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

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U.S. Representatives Commemorate Anniversaries Of Six Assurances And End Of Martial Law

June Lin — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 20:14:00 +0000

For Immediate Release
Washington DC – July 13, 2012
Contact: (202) 547-3686

U.S. Representatives Commemorate Anniversaries Of Six Assurances And End Of Martial Law

On July 13, 2012, members of the U.S. House of Representatives inserted Extensions of Remarks into the Congressional Record calling upon their colleagues in Congress to join them in commemorating the 30th anniversary of President Reagan’s “Six Assurances” and the 25th anniversary of the lifting of martial law in Taiwan.

Reps. Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Shelley Berkley (D-NV) issued statements commemorating these two critical junctures on Taiwan’s road to democracy.

On July 14, 1982, as the U.S. was on the verge of concluding a third Joint Communique with the People’s Republic of China, President Reagan issued the “Six Assurances” to Taiwan’s government to reaffirm U.S. policy toward Taiwan at the time, particularly with regard to the sale of arms to Taiwan, American commitment to Taiwan’s security under the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, and the existing U.S. position on Taiwan’s sovereignty. The Assurances also stipulated that the U.S. would not pressure Taiwan to enter into negotiations with the PRC.

On the same date five years later, President Chiang Ching-kuo lifted martial law in Taiwan on July 14, 1987. Martial law had been promulgated in Taiwan on May 19, 1949 by Chiang Kai-shek’s Chinese Nationalist government; by the time it was terminated 38 years later it was the longest period of rule by martial law by any regime in the world. Even after the end of martial law, tight restrictions on the freedom of assembly, speech and the press remained in place in Taiwan however.

Mark Kao, PhD., President of FAPA states: “The coincidence in dates of these two critical junctures in Taiwan’s history, five years apart, highlights the indispensable role that the United States and the Taiwan Relations Act each played in Taiwan’s democratization. Taiwanese Americans are grateful to the U.S. for continuing to safeguard Taiwan’s security.”

Dr. Kao continues: “The recognition of the “Six Assurances” as the second cornerstone of U.S.-Taiwan relations, alongside the TRA, is essential to the integrity of the American policy that has allowed Taiwan to become the free and vibrant society today. Beijing does not believe in the legitimacy of either document, because they fly in the face of its aspirations to annex Taiwan by force. For this reason alone, the Taiwanese American community applauds the U.S.’s enduring adherence and commitment to both pillars of the bilateral relationship.”

美眾議員紀念「六項保證」三十週年及解除戒嚴二十五週年

多位美國眾議員於七月十三日發表延伸發言並正式納入國會紀錄中。該發言呼籲在國會的同僚與他們一同紀念雷根總統提出「六項保證」的三十週年，以及台灣解除戒嚴的二十五週年。

德州共和黨眾議員麥考（Michael McCaul）議員及內華達州民主黨眾議員柏克萊（Shelley Berkley）議員共同發表聲明，紀念這兩個台灣邁向民主之路的重要階段。

一九八二年七月十四日，當美國即將與中國簽署第三個中美聯合公報時，雷根總統宣佈對台灣政府的《六項保證》，重新確立美國當時的對台政策，特別是關於對台軍售、《台灣關係法》中美國對台灣安全的保護，以及美國對台灣主權的立場。《六項保證》中並聲明美國不會施壓台灣與中國展開談判。

五年後，蔣經國總統宣佈於一九八七年七月十四日解除戒嚴。蔣介石的國民政府於一九四九年五月十九日宣布台灣實施戒嚴；軍事戒嚴一共持續了三十八年，也締造了全世界所有政權歷史中戒嚴時期最久的紀錄。然而，解嚴後，台灣的集會、言論以及媒體自由仍然受到嚴格的限制。

台灣人公共事務會會長高龍榮博士表示：「這兩個相隔五年，卻巧合的在同一天發生的重要事件，突顯出美國和其《台灣關係法》在台灣的民主化過程中，扮演了不可或缺的角色。台美人對於美國持續的捍衛台灣的安全抱持感激之心。」

高博士並表示：「美國承認《六項保證》為《台灣關係法》之外的第二個台美關係基石，對其協助台灣成為自由社會和對台政策是至關重要的。這兩份文件公開反對中國以武力併吞台灣的野心，因此北京不願承認任何一份文件的正當性。單就這個原因，台美人就要讚賞美國持續地堅守及保障這兩份台美雙方關係的棟樑。」

Extensions of Remarks

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Rep. Michael McCaul

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate two important anniversaries that are coming up this July 14th in relation to our close friend and ally: the country of Taiwan .
Since the end of World War II, the United States and Taiwan have fostered a close relationship that has been of enormous strategic and economic benefit to both countries. When the United States shifted diplomatic relations from Taiwan to the People’s Republic of China in January 1979, Congress moved quickly to pass the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) to ensure that the United States would continue its robust engagement with Taiwan in the areas of commerce, culture, and security cooperation. On April 10, 1979, this important and lasting piece of legislation became the “Law of the Land” and has since served as the statutory basis for U.S.-Taiwan relations going forward.
After 33 years, the TRA still stands as a model of Congressional leadership in the history of our foreign relations, and, together with the 1982 “Six Assurances ,” it remains the cornerstone of a very mutually beneficial relationship between the United States and Taiwan .
These “Six Assurances” were designed by President Reagan to further clarify U.S. policy toward Taiwan (in particular to the sale of arms to Taiwan ,) to reiterate our commitment to Taiwan’s security under the TRA and to reaffirm our position on Taiwan’s sovereignty. It also stipulated that we would not pressure Taiwan to enter into negotiations with the PRC.
This coming July 14 marks the 30th anniversary of President Reagan issuing said Six Assurances in 1982. It also marks the 25th anniversary of the lifting of martial law in Taiwan in 1987.
Martial law was promulgated in Taiwan on May 19, 1949 by Chiang Kai-shek’s Chinese Nationalist government. Its end 38 years later marked the longest imposition of martial law by a regime anywhere in the world. Even after the end of martial law, tight restrictions on the people of Taiwan’s freedom of assembly, speech and the press remained in place. Nevertheless, July 14, 1987 set the stage for a momentous process of democratization in Taiwan that continues to this day.
Over the past three decades, Taiwan has remained a trusted ally of the United States that shares with us the ideals of freedom and democracy. However, the people of Taiwan continue to live day after day under the ominous shadow cast by over 1400 short and medium-range ballistic missiles that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has aimed at them. The PRC persists in claiming Taiwan as a “renegade province,” refusing to renounce the use of force to prevent Taiwan’s formal de jure independence.
Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me in commemorating this July 14 the 30th anniversary of the Six Assurances and the 25th anniversary of the lifting of martial law in Taiwan, to further underline our unwavering commitment to the people of Taiwan and to affirm our support for the strong and deepening relationship between the U.S. and Taiwan.

Rep. Shelley Berkley

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate two important anniversaries that are coming up this July 14th in relation to our close friends in the Taiwan.
Since the end of World War Two, the United States and Taiwan have fostered a close relationship that has been of enormous strategic and economic benefit to both countries. When the United States shifted diplomatic relations from Taiwan to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in January 1979, Congress moved quickly to pass the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) to ensure that the United States would continue its robust engagement with Taiwan in the areas of commerce, culture, and security cooperation. On April 10, 1979, President Jimmy Carter signed this important and lasting piece of legislation into law and it has since served as the statutory basis for U.S.-Taiwan relations going forward.
After 33 years, the TRA still stands as a model of Congressional leadership in the history of our foreign relations, and, together with the 1982 “Six Assurances,” it remains the cornerstone of a mutually beneficial relationship between the United States and Taiwan. These “Six Assurances” – issued by President Ronald Reagan on July 14, 1982 – further clarified U.S. policy toward Taiwan, particularly regarding arms sales, while reiterating our commitment to Taiwan’s security under the TRA and reaffirming our position on Taiwan’s sovereignty. It also stipulated that we would not pressure Taiwan to enter into negotiations with the PRC.
On that same day five years later, martial law was lifted in Taiwan, setting the stage for a momentous process of democratization in Taiwan that continues to this day. Taiwan now has a robust, boisterous parliament, and has seen several peaceful transitions of presidential power between parties, based on repeated free and fair elections. They have truly joined the world’s community of democracies, which has only strengthened the friendship between our two peoples.
Unfortunately, though, Taiwan continues to live day after day under the ominous shadow cast by over 1400 short and medium-range ballistic missiles that the PRC has aimed at them. The PRC persists in claiming Taiwan as a “”renegade province,”” refusing to renounce the use of force to prevent Taiwan’s formal de jure independence.
Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me in commemorating this July 14 the 30th anniversary of the Six Assurances and the 25th anniversary of the lifting of martial law in Taiwan, to further underline our unwavering commitment to the people of Taiwan and to affirm our support for the strong and deepening relationship between the U.S. and Taiwan.

Photo Credit: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Flickr)

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Member Of Congress Urges Human Rights Commission To Investigate Continued Incarceration Of Former President Chen Shui-bian

June Lin — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 20:18:00 +0000

For Immediate Release
Washington DC – April 20, 2012
Contact: (202) 547-3686

Member Of Congress Urges Human Rights Commission To Investigate Continued Incarceration Of Former President Chen Shui-bian

Today Congressman Dan Lungren (R-CA) released a letter addressed to Reps. Frank Wolf (R-VA) and Jim McGovern (D-MA), co-chairs of the United States Congress Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, strongly urging them to investigate the continued incarceration of Taiwan’s former president Chen Shui-bian.

Lungren is a member of the Lantos Commission, which is a bipartisan congressional caucus of 79 members of the U.S. House of Representatives, with a mission to “promote, defend and advocate internationally recognized human rights norms in a nonpartisan manner, both within and outside of Congress, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other relevant human rights instruments.”

In the letter to the Commission co-chairs, Lungren called attention to “disturbing reports that have emerged in recent weeks about the deterioration in the health and physical condition of the former President of Taiwan, Chen Shui-bian.”

Lungren referenced reports by Taiwanese media that Chen had been diagnosed with a prostate tumor, acute coronary syndrome, and potentially fatal reduced blood flow to the heart, during a comprehensive medical exam in March. The former president’s doctors attribute his poor health to deprivation of sunlight and confinement to a small cramped cell inside Taoyuan County prison, where he is permitted only 30 minutes of exercise per day, contrary to established international human rights norms.

The letter cites Section 2(c) of the Taiwan Relations Act, which states, “The preservation and enhancement of the human rights of all the people on Taiwan are hereby reaffirmed as objectives of the United States,” as the statutory basis for the U.S. Congress to investigate Chen’s case, and requests that the Commission “strongly urge the government of Taiwan to grant former president Chen medical parole in order to receive adequate medical treatment.”

FAPA and the Taiwanese American community welcomed Lungren’s initiative. Dr. Joseph Lin, a member of FAPA’s Sacramento chapter, hailed the letter, saying “After the many years of hard work and sacrifice that Taiwanese Americans and the people of Taiwan have devoted to turning Taiwan into a genuine democracy, it is deplorable to witness the blatant violation of established international human rights norms by the current government in Taiwan in its treatment of its predecessor.”

FAPA President Mark Kao, PhD, also applauds Rep. Lungren’s letter, saying: “The people and the government of Taiwan look to the United States as the standard bearer for democracy and human rights around the world, and it is encouraging to see that these recent alarming developments in president Chen’s situation have not gone unnoticed.”

Dr. Kao concludes: “We commend Congressman Lungren for his leadership in shedding light on the rapidly declining condition of the former president of Taiwan, and hope that the Commission will take immediate steps to investigate the case.”

美國眾議院人權委員會呼籲調查陳水扁案

加州共和黨朗格倫眾議員（Dan Lungren, R-CA）於2012年4月18日（三）致函美國眾議院「湯姆‧蘭托斯人權委員會」共同主席—維吉尼亞州共和黨沃爾夫議員（Frank Wolf）與麻薩諸塞州民主黨麥高文議員（Jim McGovern）—強烈呼籲調查台灣前總統陳水扁的監禁案。

湯姆‧蘭托斯人權委員會係由兩黨共七十九名眾議員聯合組成之國會連線，朗格倫議員為該會成員之一。該委員會功能為「不分黨派，共同於國會內外提倡、捍衛並擁護世界人權宣言及其他相關人權文件所提出，受國際公認的人權準則。」

朗格倫於信函中籲請共同主席再次關注「過去幾週，關於台灣前總統陳水扁先生逐漸惡化的健康情形，令人擔憂的發展」。

信函中並引述「台灣關係法」2(c)：「茲於此重新確立：台灣全體人民的人權之維護及加強為美國之政策目標」以作為眾議院調查扁案的法理依據，並要求委員會須「強力敦促台灣政府允准陳前總統保外就醫，以獲得適當醫療照護。」

台灣人公共事務會與台美社團對於朗格倫所採取的行動表示歡迎。沙加緬度分會的林文約博士為該信喝采，他談到：「台美人為要將台灣轉變為真正的民主國家而付出多年的努力與犧牲，看到現今台灣政府對於前任總統的待遇，如此公然的違反國際人權準則，實在令人嘆息。」

台灣人公共事務會會長高龍榮博士亦對該信函表示歡迎，他指出：「台灣的人民及政府皆視美國為全球民主與人權的標準，對於近來陳前總統令人憂心的情況發展並未受到漠視，我們深受激勵。」

高博士最後說道：「我們讚揚朗格倫議員於揭露陳前總統急速惡化的健康情形中所扮演的先鋒角色，並冀望委員會會立即採取行動調查此案。」

Letter to Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission

The Honorable Frank R. Wolf, Co-Chairman
The Honorable James P. McGovern, Co-Chairman
Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission
2170 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Chairman Wolf and Chairman McGovern:
As a member of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission and an advocate of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law around the world, I write to bring to your attention some disturbing reports that have emerged in recent weeks about the deterioration in the health and physical condition of the former president of Taiwan, Chen Shui-bian, in detention.
Chen is currently serving a 19-year sentence on corruption charges that are widely believed by international observers and legal scholars to be politically motivated. He has been incarcerated for over 1,200 days thus far. On March 6, he was taken to a hospital and diagnosed with a prostate tumor, acute coronary syndrome and significantly reduced blood flow to the heart, the last of which is potentially fatal. During a comprehensive medical exam, it was also discovered that for the last 14 months, Chen had been ingesting an anti-anxiety medication with potential side effects such as depression and memory loss. The medicine was given to him without his knowledge or consent. He was returned to prison a few days after undergoing an urgent cardiac catheterization procedure in Taoyuan General Hospital.
Chen’s doctors attribute his poor health to long-term deprivation of sunlight, lack of exercise and an inactive lifestyle inside a Taoyuan County prison, where he is confined with a cellmate to a damp, undersized cell measuring approximately 60 square feet virtually 24 hours a day. Unlike other inmates who are able to work eight hours a day in prison factories, the former president is only permitted 30 minutes of outdoor exercise each day and no interaction with other prisoners. These conditions are contrary to principles established by Article 21 (1) of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, which establishes that “every prisoner who is not employed in outdoor work shall have at least one hour of suitable exercise in the open air daily if the weather permits.”
Section 2(c) of the Taiwan Relations Act states: “”The preservation and enhancement of the human rights of all the people on Taiwan are hereby reaffirmed as objectives of the United States.”” I therefore respectfully request that you strongly urge the government of Taiwan to grant former president Chen medical parole in order to receive adequate medical care, and that you investigate the facts surrounding Chen’s treatment to ensure that it has been in conformance at all times with internationally recognized standards of human rights.
Sincerely,
Daniel F. Lungren
Member of Congress

Photo Credit: 王錦河 River Wang (Flickr)

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Members Of Congress Highlight Taiwan Relations Act And Congressional Taiwan Caucus Anniversaries

June Lin — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 19:41:00 +0000

For Immediate Release
Washington DC – April 17, 2012
Contact: (202) 547-3686

Members Of Congress Highlight Taiwan Relations Act And Congressional Taiwan Caucus Anniversaries

In commemoration of the 33rd anniversary of the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), U.S. Representatives Shelley Berkley (D-NV) and Robert Andrews (D-NJ) inserted remarks into the Congressional Record underscoring the importance of the TRA to the longstanding strategic partnership between the U.S. and Taiwan.

In their “Extensions of Remarks”, the representatives reinforced the notion that both the 1979 TRA and the 1982 Six Assurances to Taiwan form “the cornerstone of our relationship with the people of Taiwan.”

Rep. Andrews added: “The PRC persists in claiming Taiwan as a ‘renegade province,’ refusing to renounce the use of force to prevent formal de jure independence. … The TRA affirmed that the United States’ decision to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China was based on the expectation that the future of Taiwan would be determined by peaceful means.”

Additionally, Rep. Berkley called attention to the 10th anniversary of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus (CTC). The caucus was founded on April 9, 2001 to act as “a forum to educate members of Congress on issues affecting U.S.-Taiwan Relations, and to provide a platform for exploring ways to positively enhance and strengthen U.S. relations and cooperation with the government and people of Taiwan in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act.”

Berkley serves as co-chair of the CTC, which is currently the second largest Congressional country caucus in the House of Representatives.

FAPA President Mark Kao, PhD welcomes the congressional comments, saying: “The TRA and the Six Assurances together enabled Taiwan to develop into a vibrant democracy and making Taiwan a trusted ally for the U.S. in East Asia.”

Dr. Kao continues: “Nevertheless, compared to the vision set out by the original drafters of the TRA, there is significant room for improvement in the way that the law has been implemented by recent U.S. administrations, particularly in light of both Taiwan’s remarkable democratic transition, and the greatly increased military threat that it now faces from China.”

Dr. Kao concludes: “Taiwanese Americans are therefore eagerly anticipating the adoption by Congress of the Taiwan Policy Act in order to strengthen the provisions of the TRA.”

The Taiwan Policy Act, H.R. 2918, was passed by the House Foreign Affairs Committee last November, and is expected to go for a floor vote in the House in the coming weeks.

眾議員強調台灣關係法及眾議院台灣連線重要性

為紀念台灣關係法通過33周年，內華達州民主黨眾議員柏克萊（Shelley Berkley, D-NV）及紐澤西州民主黨眾議員安德魯（Robert Andrews, D-NJ）在國會記錄發表了延伸發言，強調台灣關係法在美台長期策略夥伴關係中的重要性。

在「延伸發言」中，這兩位眾議員重申，1979年的台灣關係法及1982年的六項保證為與台灣人民關係的基石。

眾議員安德魯補充：「中華人民共和國堅持稱台灣為其『背離的一省』，並拒絕放棄以武力犯台，以避免真正台獨的到來。 ⋯⋯台灣關係法重申美國與中華人民共和國建交的決定，是基於期待台灣的未來將以和平方式決定。」

除此之外，眾議員柏克萊也請大家注目並紀念眾議院台灣連線（CTC）成立十周年。台灣連線於2001年4月9日成立，其「為符合台灣關係法，提供一個能正面影響並加強台美政府及人民之間關係與合作的平台。」

眾議員柏克萊是眾議院台灣連線的共同主席，而這個連線是眾議院目前第二大的國家連線。

台灣人公共事務會會長高龍榮歡迎眾議院的發言。他指出：「台灣關係法及六項保證促使台灣發展成為充滿活力的民主國家，並使其成為美國在東亞備受信賴的夥伴。」

他補充：「儘管如此，相較於台灣關係法原本起草者的遠見，最近幾任美國政府在執行該法的效能上，仍有很大的改進空間，尤其針對台灣已成功地轉型成民主國家及其面對來自中國急遽增加的武力威脅。」

他最後指出：「因此，台美人十分期待眾議院通過台灣政策法案，來強化台灣關係法的條例。台灣政策法案(H.R. 2918)，是在去年11月於外交委員會通過，並可能在未來幾周內進行全院表決。」

EXTENSION OF REMARKS COMMEMORATING THE 33rd ANNIVERSARY OF THE TAIWAN RELATIONS ACT

Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the 33rd anniversary of the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act.

Since the end of World War II, the United States and Taiwan have fostered a close relationship that has been of enormous strategic and economic benefit to both countries. When the United States shifted diplomatic relations from Taiwan to the People’s Republic of China in January 1979, Congress moved quickly to pass the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) to ensure that the United States would continue its robust engagement with Taiwan in the areas of commerce, culture, and security cooperation. With President Carter’s signature on April 10, 1979, this important and lasting piece of legislation became the Law of the Land and served as the statutory basis for U.S.-Taiwan relations going forward.

After 33 years, the TRA still stands as a model of congressional leadership in the history of our foreign relation, and, together with the 1982 “”Six Assurances,”” it remains the cornerstone of a very mutually beneficial relationship between the United States and Taiwan. Through three decades marked by momentous social, economic, and political transformations, Taiwan has remained a trusted ally of the United States that now shares with us the ideals of freedom, democracy and self-determination.

The foresight of the TRA’s drafters in providing that “the United States will make available to Taiwan such defense articles and defense services…to enable Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability,”” and affirming “”the preservation and enhancement of the human rights of all the people on Taiwan”” as explicit objectives of the United States, has contributed in large measure to make Taiwan what it is today—a vibrant, open society governed by democratic institutions.

Though the people of Taiwan now enjoy fundamental human rights and civil liberties, they continue to live day after day under the ominous shadow cast by over 1400 short and medium-range ballistic missiles that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has aimed at them. The PRC persists in claiming Taiwan as a ‘renegade province,’ refusing to renounce the use of force to prevent formal de jure independence, even codifying its right to military action via passage of the so-called “”Anti-Secession Law”” on March 14, 2005. The United States Congress strongly condemned the “”Anti-Secession Law”” in House Concurrent Resolution 98, passed on March 16, 2005.

The TRA affirmed that the United States’ decision to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China was based on the expectation that the future of Taiwan would be determined by peaceful means. Furthermore, it stipulates that it is the policy of the United States “”to consider any effort to determine the future of Taiwan by other than peaceful means…a threat to the peace and security of the Western Pacific area and of grave concern to the United States.”” The unambiguous and principled stance contained in these provisions has been instrumental to the maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait for more than thirty years, in spite of the growing military threat posed by the PRC.

I therefore invite my colleagues to join me in commemorating the 33rd anniversary of the TRA, to further underline our unwavering commitment to the TRA and our support for the strong and deepening relationship between the U.S. and Taiwan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

EXTENSION OF REMARKS COMMEMORATING THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CONGRESSIONAL TAIWAN CAUCUS

Mrs. BERKLEY: Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus.

Founded on April 9, 2001, the caucus was intended to serve as a forum to educate members of Congress on issues affecting U.S.-Taiwan Relations, and to provide a platform for exploring ways to positively enhance and strengthen U.S. relations and cooperation with the government and people of Taiwan in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act. It has grown from 85 members at the time of its establishment to the current roster of 155, making it the second largest country caucus in the House of Representatives.

In the past 10 years, its membership has remained solidly bipartisan, reflecting the broad and stable consensus in the U.S. Congress regarding the importance of Taiwan. Through the issuance of various joint letters, its agenda has focused first and foremost on maintaining faithful adherence to legal obligations and policy principles of the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, as well as the 1982 “”Six Assurances”” to Taiwan. Together, these two documents form the cornerstone of our relationship with the people of Taiwan and have contributed immeasurably to the maintenance of peace and stability in the Asia Pacific region, while allowing Taiwan to blossom into a vibrant, open society, eager to engage with the rest of the world.

Today, Taiwan is well on the path to becoming a mature and fully consolidated democracy, and our shared values now form an ever stronger foundation of trust for cooperation across our many areas of mutual interest. At the same time, the military threat posed by the People’s Republic of China to Taiwan’s democratic way of life only continues to grow with each passing day.

In the coming 10 years, we hope to forge a stronger consultative role for Congress in the formulation of Taiwan policy. We look forward to working closely with our allies – both abroad and at home – to find solutions for ensuring Taiwan’s long-term security, and to deepen our dialogue with the people of Taiwan.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

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Members Of Congress Commemorate 33rd Anniversary Of The Taiwan Relations Act

June Lin — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 19:26:00 +0000

For Immediate Release
Washington DC – April 3, 2012
Contact: (202) 547-3686

Members Of Congress Commemorate 33^rd Anniversary Of The Taiwan Relations Act

In anticipation of the 33^rd anniversary of the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), United States Congressmen Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Edolphus Towns (D-NY) last week inserted remarks into the Congressional Record to commemorate the law’s enactment on April 10, 1979, and to underscore the centrality of the TRA in the longstanding strategic partnership between the U.S. and Taiwan.

Reps. McCaul and Towns issued statements on March 29 and March 30, respectively, each citing the TRA as an enduring model of congressional leadership in U.S. foreign policy.

Rep. McCaul said that the TRA, together with the 1982 ‘Six Assurances,’ remains “the cornerstone of a very mutually beneficial relationship between the United States and Taiwan,” He pointed out that: “Through three decades marked by momentous social, economic, and political transformations, Taiwan has remained a trusted ally of the United States that now shares with us the ideals of freedom, democracy and self-determination.”

Highlighting the “ominous shadow” of 1400 Chinese missiles under which Taiwan practices its democracy, Rep. Towns emphasized: “The TRA affirmed that the United States’ decision to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China was based on the expectation that the future of Taiwan would be determined by peaceful means.”

FAPA President Mark Kao, Ph.D. welcomes the congressional comments, saying: “The Taiwan Relations Act, along with the President Reagan’s Six Assurances a few years later, has for over 30 years enabled the U.S. to cultivate its strategic relationship with Taiwan and to demonstrate our support for Taiwanese people’s right to self-determination.”

Dr. Kao continues: “However, the manner in which the TRA has been implemented in recent years does not adequately reflect the remarkable political transformation that Taiwan has undergone, or the exponentially increased level of military aggression demonstrated by the People ‘s Republic of China since 1979.”

Dr. Kao concludes: “We therefore welcome the introduction by Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) of the Taiwan Policy Act (H.R. 2918). This bill will strengthen and upgrade our U.S. policy within the TRA framework by ensuring that the Six Assurances continues to be a core component of the U.S.-Taiwan relationship, and reaffirming the principle that the future of Taiwan must be determined with the assent of the people of Taiwan.”

The Taiwan Policy Act was passed by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs in November 2011. It is expected to go to the House floor for a vote in the near future.

眾議員紀念台灣關係法立法33週年

時值台灣關係法(Taiwan Relations Act)頒布33週年前夕，美國國會德州共和黨眾議員麥考(Michael McCaul, R-TX)及紐約州民主黨眾議員唐斯(Edolphus Towns, D-NY)於上週在國會紀錄中發表延伸發言，紀念1979年4月10日設立的台灣關係法，並強調該法在台美長期策略關係中的中心地位

眾議員麥考及眾議員唐斯分別於3月29日及30日發表了延伸發言，標榜台灣關係法為國會在美國外交政策上扮演領導角色的良好典範。

眾議員麥考表示，台灣關係法與1982年的「六項保證」，仍然是「美台互利互惠關係的基石」。他指出:「過去的30年，台灣在經過重大的社經及政治上的轉變之後，仍然是美國可信任的夥伴。現在台灣更與我們共享自由、民主及人民自決的理想價值。」

除了指出台灣必須在1400枚中國飛彈威脅陰影下實行其民主，眾議員唐斯強調:「台灣關係法重申美國與中華人民共和國建交的決定，是立基於台灣的未來必須以和平方式解決的期望之上。」

台灣人公共事務會會長高龍榮歡迎這些延伸發言。他表示：「台灣關係法與數年後雷根總統提出的六項保證，在過去的30多年確保了美國與台灣持續發展策略關係，並對台灣人民的人民自決權表示支持。」

他補充：「但是，台灣關係法在近幾年來的執行方式，相對於台灣自1979年至今所經歷，令人刮目相看的政治轉變，或中華人民共和國對台急速增長的武力威脅，已見短絀。」

他最後指出：「因此，我們歡迎由佛羅里達州共和黨眾議員羅絲雷緹南(Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL))所提出的台灣政策法案(H.R. 2918)。該法案將加強並增進台灣關係法框架下的美國外交政策，確保六項保證仍為美台關係中的核心要素，並再次重申台灣的未來必須由台灣人民一致決定的原則。」

由眾議院外交委員會於2011年11月所通過的台灣政策法案，近期將會提交眾議院接受表決。

HON. MICHAEL T. McCAUL
OF TEXAS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Friday, March 30, 2012

Mr. MCCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the 33rd anniversary of the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act.

After 33 years, the TRA still stands as a model of congressional leadership in the history of our foreign relation, and, together with the 1982 “Six Assurances,” it remains the cornerstone of a very mutually beneficial relationship between the United States and Taiwan.

Through three decades marked by momentous social, economic, and political transformations, Taiwan has remained a trusted ally of the United States that now shares with us the ideals of freedom, democracy and self-determination. The foresight of the TRA’s drafters in providing that “the United States will make available to Taiwan such defense articles and defense services . . . to enable Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability,” and affirming “the preservation and enhancement of the human rights of all the people on Taiwan” as explicit objectives of the United States, has contributed in large measure to make Taiwan what it is today — a vibrant, open society governed by democratic institutions.

Though the people of Taiwan now enjoy fundamental human rights and civil liberties, they continue to live day after day under the ominous shadow cast by over 1400 short and medium-range ballistic missiles that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has aimed at them. The PRC persists in claiming Taiwan as a “renegade province,” refusing to renounce the use of force to prevent formal de jure independence, even codifying its right to military action via passage of the so-called “Anti-Secession Law” on March 14, 2005. The United States Congress strongly condemned the “Anti-Secession Law” in House Concurrent Resolution 98, passed on March 16, 2005.

The unambiguous and principled stance contained in these provisions has been instrumental to the maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait for more than thirty years, in spite of the growing military threat posed by the PRC.

HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS
OF NEW YORK
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, March 29, 2012

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the 33rd anniversary of the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act.

After 33 years, the TRA still stands as a model of congressional leadership in the history of our foreign relations and remains the cornerstone of a very mutually beneficial relationship between the United States and Taiwan . Through three decades marked by momentous social, economic, and political transformations, Taiwan has remained a trusted ally of the United States that now shares with us the ideals of freedom and democracy. The foresight of the TRA’s drafters in providing that “the United States will make available to Taiwan such defense articles and defense services ….. to enable Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability,” and affirming “the preservation and enhancement of the human rights of all the people on Taiwan” as explicit objectives of the United States, has contributed in large measure to make Taiwan what it is today — a vibrant, open society governed by democratic institutions.

Though the people of Taiwan now enjoy fundamental human rights and civil liberties, they continue to live day after day under the ominous shadow cast by over 1400 short and medium-range ballistic missiles that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has aimed at them. The PRC persists in claiming Taiwan as a “renegade province,” refusing to renounce the use of force to prevent formal de jure independence, even codifying its right to military action via the passage of the so-called “Anti-Secession Law” on March 14, 2005. The United States Congress strongly condemned the “Anti-Secession Law” in House Concurrent Resolution 98, passed on March 16, 2005.

The TRA affirmed that the United States’ decision to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China was based on the expectation that the future of Taiwan would be determined by peaceful means. Furthermore, it stipulates that it is the policy of the United States “to consider any effort to determine the future of Taiwan by other than peaceful means ….. a threat to the peace and security of the Western Pacific area and of grave concern to the United States.” The unambiguous and principled stance contained in these provisions has been instrumental to the maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait for more than thirty years.

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