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US representatives
urge resumption of diplomatic ties
By William Lowther / Staff reporter in WASHINGTON
Two members of the US Congress have called on US President Barack Obama¡¦s
administration to resume diplomatic relations with Taiwan and to end its ¡§one
China¡¨ policy.
The largely symbolic move was made to mark the 34th anniversary of the enactment
of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) on April 10, 1979.
Representatives Michael McCaul and Robert Andrews submitted a ¡§sense of
Congress¡¨ resolution to the US House of Representatives on Wednesday, which has
been referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
The resolution says that Taiwan has established a vibrant and pluralistic
democracy and that Taiwan has never been under the jurisdiction of the People¡¦s
Republic of China government.
It argues that the Shanghai Communique, which ¡§acknowledges¡¨ that there is ¡§one
China and that Taiwan is part of China¡¨ was established without the consultation
of Congress or the people of Taiwan.
The resolution says that the ¡§one China¡¨ policy is ¡§effectively obsolete¡¨ and
does not reflect the obvious reality that Taiwan has been an independent and
sovereign country for more than half a century.
¡§Taiwan has been a steadfast ally of the US and a responsible and compassionate
member of the world community,¡¨ the resolution reads.
¡§The president should abandon the fundamentally flawed ¡¥One China Policy¡¦ in
favor of a more realistic ¡¥One China, One Taiwan Policy¡¦ that recognizes Taiwan
as a sovereign and independent country separate from the Communist regime in
Beijing,¡¨ the resolution reads.
¡§The president should begin the process of resuming normal diplomatic relations
with Taiwan,¡¨ it says.
¡§US officials should aggressively support Taiwan¡¦s full participation in the
United Nations and any other international organization of which the US is a
member, and for which statehood is a requirement for membership,¡¨ it adds.
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