On February 26, two Republican lawmakers Tom Tiffany and Scott Perry introduced a legislation in the House of Representatives calling for the United States (US) government to restore formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan and end the outdated and “counter-productive one- China” policy. Specifically, the text of the bill argues that the “one-China” policy is “obsolete” and “does not serve the people of Taiwan or the US”.
“As an independent nation that proudly collaborates with Taiwan across a wide spectrum of issues, it’s long past time The United States exercised our sovereign right to state what the world knows to be true: Taiwan is an independent country, and has been for over 70 years,” said Perry. Adding to this, Tiffany said, “America doesn’t need a permission slip from the Chinese Communist Party to talk to its friends and partners around the world. Taiwan is a free, democratic and independent country, and it’s time US policy reflected that fact.”
The bill, which is expected to invite Beijing’s ire, calls on the Joe Biden administration to support Taiwan’s membership to international organisations and to initiate negotiations with the country on formulating a free trade agreement (FTA). This is in reference to Taiwan’s consistent lobbying to join international organisations like the United Nations (UN) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Beijing claims that Taiwan is a province of China, not an independent state and, therefore, only China holds the right to represent all of China within international organisations that limit membership to states.
Currently, the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) is considered to be the “cornerstone” of the US’ ties with Taiwan. The terms of this agreement require the US to provide the island with the means to defend itself. Under this agreement, The US State Department formally approved the sale of advanced weapons to Taiwan worth approximately $1.8 billion in October. However, lawmakers are of the opinion that this is not enough, as Washington’s official stance of holding the “one-China” policy recognises China’s status as the sole legitimate government of Taiwan and thus prevents the US from acknowledging that Taiwan is independent of China.
Moreover, following China’s imposition of the draconian national security law in Hong Kong, the future of Taiwan has been a matter of great concern in the international community, with China stepping up its military manoeuvres near Taiwan’s waters and incursions into the latter’s airspace. Though Taiwan has proposed an increased defence budget to counter military threats from China, US officials have stressed that the funding needs to be significantly higher and legislation needs to be strengthened to effectively confront China.
Until 1979, the US maintained normal diplomatic relations with Taiwan. However then-President Jimmy Carter “abruptly” rescinded formal ties with the island and officially recognised the Communist regime in Beijing. If Perry and Tiffany’s bill is passed as law, it is sure to further exacerbate US-China relations, which are already at an all-time low.
Bill in US Congress Seeks to Scrap ‘One China’ Policy & Resume Diplomatic Ties With Taiwan
Lawmakers in the House of Representatives have introduced a legislation that calls on the United States to to resume formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan and scrap the “one-China” policy.
March 3, 2021
SOURCE: EPA