TRA, 6 Assurances reaffirmed as cornerstone of Taiwan-US relations

2016/05/19

The Taiwan Relations Act and Six Assurances were reaffirmed May 16 as the cornerstone of U.S.-Taiwan relations following unanimous passage of House Concurrent Resolution 88 by the U.S. House of Representatives.

It was the first time for the TRA and Six Assurances to appear in a resolution passed by Congress, and reaffirms a firm foundation of U.S. support for Taiwan in the run up to the May 20 inauguration of President-elect Tsai Ing-wen.

HCR 88 follows approval April 28 by the U.S. Senate of S. 1635, a bill containing similar text in support for the TRA and Six Assurances, as well as a resolution to the same effect by the Republican National Committee during its April 20-23 spring meeting.

Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the U.S.—the organization responsible for representing Taiwan’s interests in the U.S.—said it was grateful for the strong vote of confidence by Congress in the TRA and Six Assurances. “At a time when Taiwan is about to undergo a change of government, HCR 88 sends a clear message that Congress supports defending Taiwan’s democracy and freedom.”

Signed into law in 1979 following the switch of recognition from Taipei to Beijing by the U.S., the TRA authorizes the continuation of substantive relations between the people of the U.S. and the people on Taiwan in the absence of diplomatic ties between them, as well as to help maintain peace, security and stability in the western Pacific.

Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan issued the Six Assurances in 1982, stipulating that the U.S. would not set a date for termination of arms sales to Taiwan; alter the terms of the TRA; consult with mainland China in advance before making decisions about U.S. arms sales to Taiwan; mediate between Taiwan and mainland China; alter its position about the sovereignty of Taiwan and pressure Taiwan to enter into negotiations with mainland China; and formally recognize mainland Chinese sovereignty over Taiwan.

Taiwan and the U.S. share such common values as freedom, democracy, respect for human rights, rule of law and a market-based economy. Over the past decades, both sides have enjoyed a robust relationship spanning commerce, culture and other areas of mutual interest.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=244801&ctNode=2194&mp=9)