Issues

Issues of Concern to Taiwanese Americans (2007) * [.pdf download]

1. Hi-Level Visits

Currently, Taiwan’s President, Vice President, Premier, Ministers of Defense and Foreign Affairs cannot freely visit this country, and they cannot step on the soil within 30 miles of the nation’s capital. We ask that the U.S. lift ALL restrictions on high-level visits from Taiwan, so that a balanced understanding of both sides of the Taiwan Strait will be directly available to Congress, the Administration, and the American public. These self-imposed restrictions on high-level visits are due to the fear of Chinese retaliation if such visits were allowed. Forbidding the democratically elected leaders of Taiwan to visit the U.S. contradicts our principles and belief in freedom and democracy. We should not let the Beijing government determine this part of our foreign policy. On July 30, 2007, HCR 136, which seeks to remedy this problem, was passed unanimously by the House. On October 2, SCR 48 was introduced by Senators Johnson and Lott. To co-sponsor SCR 48, contact Krista Lamoreaux at (202) 224-5842.

2. Senate Confirmation for the AIT Director

The Taiwan Strait is one of the flashpoints in the world. It is in the interest of the United States that Congress thoroughly examines the viewpoints and the skills of the American Institute in Taiwan Director (after all, the de facto American ambassador to Taiwan) before he or she is sent to Taiwan. Why are we putting more scrutiny on ambassadors to some tourist island-nations such as Barbados and Aruba than on the ambassador to Taiwan? On March 7, Rep. Tancredo introduced HR 1390 requiring Senate confirmation of the Director of the American Institute in Taiwan. To co-sponsor, contact Mac Zimmerman at (202) 225-7882.

3. Safety and Security

China’s 900 ballistic missiles along its coast targeted at Taiwan today not only threaten Taiwan but also seriously damage the stability and security in the region. The missiles hold the 23 million people of Taiwan at gunpoint and pose psychological terror. The Cuban missile crisis in the 1960s held American people hostage for a mere 13 days; yet, every day the people of Taiwan live under that Chinese military threat. The 1979 Taiwan Relations Act commits the U.S. to Taiwan’s security. We support the sale of advanced weapons and advocate the need for the highest level of military exchanges between Taiwan and the U.S.

4. US-Taiwan Free Trade Agreement

Taiwan is currently the U.S.’ 8th largest trading partner and the 5th largest destination for U.S. agricultural products. Today, U.S.-Taiwan trade totals $60 billion. The International Trade Commission concluded that eliminating tariffs on U.S. trade with Taiwan could increase U.S. exports by several billion dollars per year, while eliminating non-tariff barriers would yield additional benefits to service exports. Taiwan is ready to negotiate a bilateral free trade agreement with the U.S. that will further harmonize the trade policies of the two countries. HCR 137 was introduced on May 1 by Rep. Berkley. To co-sponsor, contact Jeremy Kadden at (202) 225-5965.

5. One China Policy

The 1972 U.S.-China Shanghai Communiqué stated: “The U.S. acknowledges that all Chinese on either side of the Taiwan Strait maintain there is but one China and that Taiwan is a part of China.” At the time, both the Communist government in Beijing and Chiang Kai-shek’s government in Taiwan agreed to this wording. Much has changed over the past 30 years in both countries. Taiwan no longer claims sovereignty over China. Today, with Taiwan being a democratic, human rights respecting nation, it is time to rethink this formula. Over the years, this policy has become a mantra to appease China. The “One China policy” is an outdated relic of the Cold War. It is time to abolish the policy completely or have it replaced by a policy more clearly reflecting today’s reality: a “One PRC, One Taiwan” policy.

6. World Health Organization (WHO) Membership

Health should not be used as a political weapon. Taiwan is not a member of any major international organization. This diplomatic isolation—due to PRC pressure—has prevented Taiwan from receiving any direct assistance from the WHO during the height of recent SARS and birdflu outbreaks. A secret memorandum the WHO signed with China in 2005 limits participation by Taiwan, if any participation at all. U.S. current policy in supporting Taiwan’s “meaningful” participation is rendered meaningless because of this memorandum. Since 1997, both Houses have passed legislation supporting Taiwan’s WHO bid.In the meantime, HCR 250, endorsing Taiwan’s UN membership, was introduced by 19 members on November 8. To co-sponsor, contact Andrew Wimer at (202) 225-9048.

7. Self-Determination/Express Consent

Taiwan today is a democracy. Any important issues, such as the future of Taiwan, should be determined by the people of Taiwan through a democratic mechanism, such as referendum. U.S. current policy is that any resolution of cross-Taiwan Strait relations must be 1. peaceful and 2. have the express consent of the people of Taiwan. We ask that only the people of Taiwan have the right to determine Taiwan’s future.

8. Congressional Taiwan Caucus

In April 2002, the Congressional Taiwan Caucus (CTC) was established. Today it has 149 members and is the second largest caucus in the House of Representatives. The Senate Taiwan Caucus (STC) has 25 members and continues to grow. To join the CTC, contact Jonathan Katz at (202) 225-3001; to join the STC, contact Krista Lamoreaux at (202) 224-5842.