Press Division, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago
Today (April 10) marks the 30th
anniversary of the passage of the "Taiwan Relations Act" (TRA) by the Congress
of the United States in the wake of the breaking of diplomatic relations between
the U.S. and the Republic of China (Taiwan) in January 1979.
On Dec. 15, 1978, then-US president
Jimmy Carter announced his decision to shift recognition of Taiwan to the
People's Republic of China. Concerned that the administration would abandon a
longtime ally without providing any security commitment, Congress drafted the
TRA and passed it with an overwhelming majority. The act was signed into law on
April 10, 1979.
A group of 30 U.S. senators, led by
James Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) wrote to President Barack Obama
in March, urging him to reaffirm Washington's commitment to Taiwan to mark the
30th anniversary of the enactment of the TRA.
The letter reads, in part, "The US
and Taiwan have brought about ties that are as strong today as at any time since
passage of the TRA. Consequently, we hope you will join us in recognizing the
30th anniversary of this landmark legislation and in expressing our nation's
continued support for freedom, security and prosperity for the people of
Taiwan."
The TRA is a unique US domestic law
that governs foreign policy. It blends US values and interests and provides for
Taiwan to be treated under US laws the same as a foreign country.
Over the last three decades, the TRA
has provided the institutional cornerstone for unofficial relations between the
U.S. and Taiwan. It has offered the strongest guarantees by Washington to
safeguard Taiwan's democracy, human rights and economy. It has also provided
Taipei with the self-defense capability to resist any use of force or coercion
that could jeopardize Taiwan.
Thanks to the TRA, Taiwan's economy has been
developing without interruption. Taiwan has also transformed itself into a
multi-party democracy, holding its first popular presidential election in 1996
and peacefully transferring power in 2000 and last year. Taiwan's democracy is a
beacon to other societies seeking peaceful political liberalization.
Taiwan's existence as a multi-party democracy and
a free market economy relate to important U.S. interests. On March 24 this year,
the House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution reaffirming
Congress' unwavering commitment to the TRA.
Representative Howard Berman, chairman of
the Foreign Affairs Committee, said: "I am confident that the Taiwan Relations
Act will remain the cornerstone of our relationship with Taiwan." Shelley
Berkley, co-chair of the Taiwan Congressional Caucus, also said: "We must do
everything in our power to continue protecting Taiwan and assuring its
survival." |
