For Immediate Release
Washington DC – February 6, 2018
Contact: (202) 547-3686
US REPRESENTATIVE URGES AMBASSADOR HALEY TO PRESS CHINA TO STOP BLOCKING TAIWAN TOURISTS FROM ENTERING THE UN BUILDING IN NEW YORK
In a letter dated February 6, 2018, Rep. Steve King (R-IA) urges Ambassador Nikki R. Haley, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, to use her influence and position towards finding a solution for the predicament Taiwanese tourists that seek to visit the United Nations building in New York face.
Rep. King writes: “China has now managed to convince the UN to block Taiwanese tourists from entering UN headquarters in New York. Allegedly, this new policy was implemented after Taiwan’s democratically elected president Tsai Ing-wen was inaugurated in May 2016.”
Earlier, in a letter dated December 22, 2017, Reps. Steve Chabot (R-OH) and Chris Smith (R-NJ) urged Ambassador Haley to use her good offices towards finding a solution for this predicament as well.
FAPA President Peter Chen says: “Clearly, China does not hesitate to bully Taiwan at each and every level. They steal Taiwan’s diplomatic allies. They force American companies such as Marriott to adhere to the blatant falsehood that Taiwan is part of China, they block Taiwanese families visiting New York from entering the UN building and everything else in between. China has no shame. China’s incessant bullying needs to stop.”
美眾議員要求駐聯合國大使海利對中國要對阻止台灣遊客進入紐約聯合國總部一事對中國施壓
2月6日，美國眾議員史蒂夫·金Steve King （R-IA）致函美聯合國大使海利，要她利用自己的影響力和權責，尋求解決台灣遊客被拒參觀聯合國紐約總部的大樓的困境。
史蒂夫議員寫道：「中國現在控制聯合國，阻止台灣遊客進入紐約聯合國總部。據了解，這項新政策是在2016年5月台灣新任民選總統蔡英文就職後開始實施的。」
此這之前，夏波議員Steve Chabot（R-OH）和史密斯議員Chris Smith（R-NJ）兩人也曾在2017年12月22日聯名類似的信給海利大使，要求她進行磋商協調，尋找解決困境的辦法。
台灣人公共事務會會長陳正義表示：「很顯然地，中國毫不猶豫地在其所能的層面霸凌台灣、分化台灣的外交盟友、迫使像萬豪酒店等美國公司接受『台灣是中國一部分』的公然謊言，阻撓台灣人民進入紐約聯合國總部也是一例。這些事情再再顯示，中國對打壓台灣的行為毫無慚愧之意，中國的霸凌應該被扼止。」
Rep. King’s Letter
Ambassador Nikki R. Haley February 6, 2018
U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations
United States Mission to the United Nations
799 United Nations Plaza
New York, N.Y. 10017Dear Ambassador Haley:
I hope this letter finds you well. As a longtime Taiwan supporter and member of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus, and as a member of Congress, I would like to bring the following issue to your attention in the hope that you are willing to use your influence and position to find a solution for the predicament that Taiwanese tourists seeking to visit the United Nations (UN) building in New York face on a daily basis.
It is no secret that China uses its various capabilities to shrink Taiwan’s international position. This past June, Panama ended diplomatic relations with Taiwan in favor of establishing diplomatic ties with China. China also continues to block Taiwan’s participation in UN affiliated organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO,) Interpol, and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). However, China’s intimidation does not stop there. According to news reports, China has now managed to convince the UN to block Taiwanese tourists from entering UN headquarters in New York. Allegedly, this new policy was implemented after Taiwan’s democratically elected president Tsai Ing-wen was inaugurated in May 2016.
According to Bonnie Glaser, senior adviser for Asia at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), “Every Chinese diplomat is tasked to impede, block and hamper Taiwan’s international space whenever there is an opportunity…I do think we have to push back and not simply look the other way and maybe this is something that if it is not done too publicly we could influence how the UN is operating on this.” (Taipei Times, June 17, 2016.)
I request that you use your influence and position to find a solution for this predicament Taiwanese tourists seeking to visit the United Nations building in New York face on a daily basis. Thank you for your attention to this important matter. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
STEVE KING (IA-4)
Member of Congress