Civic Register
| 6.7.21
Senate’s China Competition Bill Aims to Bolster U.S. Support for Taiwan - Are You in Favor?
Should the U.S. reaffirm commitments to Taiwan’s defense & call for Taiwan’s inclusion in international bodies?
What’s the story?
- The Senate is expected to pass a broad bipartisan package aimed at improving U.S. competitiveness with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) this week which includes a number of notable provisions focused on backing Taiwan against increasing efforts by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to undermine the sovereignty of the island nation. The CCP regards Taiwan, an independent democracy, as a rogue province and has threatened to seize it by military force if Taiwan pursues formal independence.
- The bill, known as the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, would reaffirm two foundational elements of the U.S.-Taiwan relationship ― the Taiwan Relations Act and the “Six Assurances.” Here’s a look at what those policies mean and other ways the bill would seek to improve U.S. relations with Taiwan:
What is the Taiwan Relations Act?
- The bill would reinforce U.S. commitments to Taiwan that were made under the Taiwan Relations Act, a bipartisan law enacted in 1979 after the U.S. broke off official relations with Taiwan due to the Carter administration establishing official diplomatic relations with the PRC.
- The Taiwan Relations Act states that efforts to determine Taiwan’s future through non-peaceful means (including boycotts or embargoes) threaten peace and security in the Western Pacific; it’s U.S. policy to maintain a capacity to resist the use of force or coercion to undermine Taiwan’s security; the U.S. will provide defensive military equipment so that Taiwan can have a sufficient self-defense capability; decisions about defending Taiwan will be made by Congress and the president; and references in U.S. law to foreign states and governments also apply to Taiwan.
- The Taiwan Relations Act doesn’t require the U.S. to defend Taiwan against an attack by the PRC but leaves open the possibility of doing so to create a policy of “strategic ambiguity,” which is intended to deter the PRC from attacking Taiwan and to deter Taiwan from taking actions that could provoke a PRC attack.
What are the “Six Assurances”?
- The Reagan administration made the “Six Assurances” to Taiwan in 1982, which have been a key element of Washington’s diplomatic stance toward Taipei (Taiwan’s capital) and Beijing in the decades since. The recently-declassified presidential memorandum and diplomatic cables stated that the U.S.:
- Has not agreed to set a date for ending arms sales to Taiwan.
- Has not agreed to consult with the PRC on arms sales to Taiwan.
- Will not play a mediation role between Taipei and Beijing.
- Has not agreed to revise the Taiwan Relations Act.
- Has not altered its position regarding sovereignty over Taiwan.
- Will not exert pressure on Taiwan to enter into negotiations with the PRC.
What else would the bill do?
- The U.S. Innovation and Competition Act would declare that the U.S.-Taiwan relationship is a vital part of America’s Indo-Pacific strategy.
- It would urge Taiwan to increase its defense spending and emphasize a “strong U.S. commitment” to Taiwan’s implementation of its asymmetric defense strategy. The strategy focuses on the use of mobile anti-air and anti-ship missiles, electronic warfare unmanned aerial systems, sea mining capabilities, and other technologies in the event that China attempts an amphibious invasion across the Taiwan Strait.
- Additionally, it would call for the inclusion of Taiwan in international bodies such as the United Nations, the World Health Organization, and others.
RELATED READING
- Blinken Warns China Using Military Force Against Taiwan Would Be ‘Serious Mistake’
- Pompeo Lifts Limitations on U.S. Diplomatic Contacts With Taiwan - Are You in Favor?
— Eric Revell
(Photo Credit: U.S.-Taiwan: iStock.com / avdeev007)
The Latest
-
IT: 💊 Research uncovers the impact of shield laws in abortion pill access, and... Are you ready to vote?Welcome to Tuesday, May 14th, subscribers... New research finds that "shield laws" have allowed abortion pill access to remain read more... -
Shield Laws Keep Abortion Pill Access Steady, Research FindsWhat's the story? New research found that since the fall of Roe v. Wade in 2022, new "shield laws" have allowed abortion pill read more... Women's Health -
IT: 🛢️ New Vermont measure could charge Big Oil for climate damages, and... Do you think Trump is guilty?Welcome to Friday, May 10th, friends... Vermont could be one of the first states to hold Big Oil accountable for the damages read more... -
Stormy Daniels Takes the Stand in Trump Hush Money TrialUpdated May 9, 2024, 5:00 p.m. EST Adult film star Stormy Daniels, also known as Stephanie Clifford, spent two days on the stand read more... Law Enforcement
Climate & Consumption
Health & Hunger
Politics & Policy
Safety & Security
This is a serious situation that I can only hope for the sake of democracy that you also feel the same way and take the same Stance
China treats Taiwan as a second class citizen already even though they spout “One China”. The Taiwanese want self determination and the US should back them every way possible.
Yes. I’ve been there. Good people.
Protect the freedom of Taiwan!
Need more info
History if I’m right is there was a civil war and fighting was of no use, no advantage and I’m sure much death had already happened so the two countries separated always without a treaty, truce or peace agreement. Now China has bought all our steal and created quite an army and an ally with Russia whose already at war with us. Trump really let them into our cyberspace. An asset of Russia former President Donald J Trump, biggest traitor to America but close with the Bush Family and other rich loving former presidents. I like George Washington, nobody hungry and nobody homeless or former President Roosevelt who the people of America would’ve kept as president forever because he taxed the rich and taxed them high like 75% in taxes. We got a strong government that became corrupt and now we the people who are equal in power to the government can’t let these Republican freaks steal any more elections. They cheat many ways like gerrymandering, what happened in Georgia when they cut I think about 250,000 voters from being registered at all. In another case they had the vote tally sent out of state to be fixed to the win for republicans but they got blocked from doing that one year but God knows we can’t let these corrupt mob state freaks who’re hoping reinstall slavery and end our constitutional rights and all. The schemes of the devil, should you consent or should you protest and if we have to stay say after day to get is necessary to survive on earth for much longer. The architects of hidden atrocities coming our way from their greed only wish to move to mars. They’re already in bunkers in Europe avoiding the possibility of catching covid19. They declared war on us. God says most people going to hell I see why. The protests will start well when more people get their covid19 vaccine. The whole world is getting it. Nazis don’t wear masks. They believe in kill the weak. Trump said everyone should get it and people need to make sacrifices. Stop believing lies. Stop killing people. Ten mass shootings this weekend. That’s at least 4 people shot. We have to change our society to work together and thus end problems before they begin. And with the intelligence we ought to have gained by now, fix all that was done by the rich who are severely sadistic.
Yes
How about supporting states that at least share SOME of our civil values?
We should support Them in their independence
Support Them. Screw Communist China.
Read Michelle China that United States stands Taiwan and it will use all his resources to support Taiwan and any other Asian country
Taiwan is the most liberal democracy in the region and must be protected at all costs.
I believe that we made some promises years ago after one of the big wars that we would always help to keep them a "free nation". People don't pay attention to history anymore. We are obliged to help them!
Well in recent years we have certainly been absent from our care and protection that we here to for offered to Taiwan. I think probably trump thought he would be a friend with China and do lots of business with them. When they made a joke of him I think he got scared, yes scared and ran in the opposite direction of anything to do with China..........like Taiwan.
Start Earning $78/Hourly For Working Online From Your Home For Few Hours Each Day. Get Regular Payment On A Weekly Basis. All You Need Is A Computer, Internet Connection And A Little Free Time... Read More Here...>>>>>> www.Nifty2.com
Absolutely yes.
Oh right I forgot Texas reps don’t like democratic nations.
The relationship between Taiwan and China is best summed up in song. Specifically, Taylor Swift’s “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” with Swift singing the Taiwanese view. It’s one of the very few things that the last guy did right. Why do we still maintain the One China fiction? It’s never going to happen.
Hey, can’t believe I’m with the majority on this one!
We should support all our allies!!!!!