U.S. Dept. of State - IIP: The United States and China

Text: Lawmaker Hails 23rd Anniversary of Taiwan Relations Act
(Cites formation of Congressional Taiwan Caucus)

Representative John Larson (Democrat of Connecticut) hailed the 23rd anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, the law that governs U.S. relations with Taiwan.

"I hope we will continue our cooperation with the democratically elected government of Taiwan by taking a number of steps; such as allowing Taiwan officials and our officials to meet freely in Washington and Taipei, improving Taiwan's access to our government agencies, and helping Taiwan become a member of appropriate international organizations such as the World Health Organization," Larson said in remarks to the House of Representatives April 10.

"I believe that the recent formation of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus shows our support for the Taiwan Relations Act and our commitment to maintaining the military balance across the Taiwan Strait to counter the buildup on the Mainland," Larson said.

Representative Steve Chabot (Republican of Ohio) announced the formation of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus earlier in the week.

Following is the text of Representative John Larson remarks from the Congressional Record of April 10:

TAIWAN RELATIONS ACT
HON. JOHN B. LARSON OF CONNECTICUT
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, April 10, 2002

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the twenty-third anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act (P.L. 96-8) to reaffirm our commitment to the security of Taiwan.

First, I believe it is important to remember that this law was enacted "to preserve and promote extensive, close, and friendly commercial, cultural, and other relations between the people of the United States and the people on Taiwan, ..... to declare that peace and stability in the area are in the political, security, and economic interests of the United States, and are matters of international concern; ..... to make clear that the United States decision to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China rests upon the expectation that the future of Taiwan will be determined by peaceful means; ..... to provide Taiwan with arms of a defensive character, ..... and to maintain the capacity of the United States to resist any resort to force or other forms of coercion that would jeopardize the security, or the social or economic system, of the people of Taiwan."

Even though we do not have official diplomatic relations with Taiwan, we have many "unofficial" contacts. Taiwan and the United States share common interests in many areas, such as trade and investment, science and technology, education, culture and security. The recent legislative elections in Taiwan shows that it shares our commitment to true democratic values and serve as a model for other nations in the region. We also share a respect for the freedom of the press, which I hope continues.

On the twenty-third anniversary of the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act, I hope we will continue our cooperation with the democratically elected government of Taiwan by taking a number of steps; such as allowing Taiwan officials and our officials to meet freely in Washington and Taipei, improving Taiwan's access to our government agencies, and helping Taiwan become a member of appropriate international organizations such as the World Health Organization. The officials of Taiwan were chosen by the twenty-two million people of Taiwan to represent them and we should respect their choice. Taiwan is our seventh largest trading partner, and there are many critical economic, trade, health, security, and other issues which its officials need to discuss with our government officials as well as officials of international organizations.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that the recent formation of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus shows our support for the Taiwan Relations Act and our commitment to maintaining the military balance across the Taiwan Strait to counter the buildup on the Mainland. Therefore, I rise today to commemorate the twenty-third anniversary of the Act, to restate our commitment to the security of Taiwan, and to show our support for cooperation between Taiwan and the United States. Thank you.

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)