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Texas Republican
Party pushes for diplomatic recognition for Taiwan
By William Lowther / Staff reporter in Washington
In a formal foreign policy statement, the Republican Party of Texas has
declared: ¡§We support full diplomatic recognition of Taiwan as an independent
and sovereign nation.¡¨
The statement is included in the party¡¦s official ¡§platform,¡¨ which was approved
earlier this month and released this week.
Texas Senator John Cornyn has been particularly active in supporting Taiwanese
democracy and pushing the administration of US President Barack Obama to sell 68
F-16C/D aircraft to Taipei.
The foreign policy statement was first suggested to the Texas Republicans by the
Austin chapter of the Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA).
¡§This is important because it is of mutual interest to Taiwan and the United
States,¡¨ Austin chapter president Tim Bradberry said.
¡§It will ensure Taiwan remains in the community of free liberal democracies and
it protects the United States¡¦ strategic interest in the Western Pacific,¡¨ he
said.
Representatives Michael McCaul, Sam Johnson and Robert Andrews introduced a
resolution into the US House last month urging that Obama ¡§should begin the
process of resuming normal diplomatic relations with Taiwan.¡¨
While there has been no White House reaction, such a move would be highly
unlikely in the present political atmosphere in Washington. However, such
actions serve to remind the Obama administration of the robust political support
Taiwan enjoys in the US Congress. FAPA president Mark Kao (°ªÀsºa) issued a
statement on Wednesday welcoming the move by the Republican Party of Texas.
¡§It demonstrates a growing awareness among US policymakers that the ¡¥one China¡¦
policy is now woefully out of date,¡¨ he said.
¡§The establishment of a ¡¥one China, one Taiwan¡¦ policy which acknowledges the
common sense reality of Taiwan¡¦s sovereignty is long overdue,¡¨ Kao said.
Also this week, the Massachusetts State Senate adopted a measure expressing its
¡§support for Taiwan¡¦s inclusion in international organizations and agreements.¡¨
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