The Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act of 2019 (TAIPEI Act; Pub. L. 116–135 (text) (PDF), 134 Stat. 278, enacted March 26, 2020; S. 1678) is an Act of the United States Congress. It aims to increase the scope of US relations with Taiwan and encourage other nations and international organizations to strengthen their official and unofficial ties with the island nation.[1]
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| Long title | An Act to express United States support for Taiwan's diplomatic alliances around the world. |
|---|---|
| Acronyms (colloquial) | TAIPEI Act |
| Enacted by | the 116th United States Congress |
| Effective | March 26, 2020 |
| Citations | |
| Public law | Pub. L. 116–135 (text) (PDF) |
| Statutes at Large | 134 Stat. 278 |
| Legislative history | |
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The law is considered a further upgrade to Taiwan–United States relations[2] after passing the Taiwan Travel Act in 2018 and was passed at a time in which the People's Republic of China was engaged in a campaign to restrict the diplomatic space of Taiwan.
Background
editAfter Tsai Ing-wen was inaugurated as President of Taiwan in 2016, the People's Republic of China (mainland China) started an extensive campaign to isolate the island state internationally, and by 2019 the number of countries maintaining official relations with Taipei had fallen from 22 to 15.[3] Meanwhile, following the election of Donald Trump as U.S. president, U.S.–China relations had deteriorated, especially since the start of the China–United States trade war in 2018. While Taiwan felt its international space shrinking, relations with the US saw major breakthroughs, including a phone call between Trump and Tsai, the passage of the Taiwan Travel Act, and cabinet-level meetings between the two countries. In order to disincentivize remaining countries to switch recognition away from Taiwan, and to allow the island greater participation in international organizations, the TAIPEI Act was conceived.
Provisions
editProvisions of the TAIPEI Act state that the U.S. should:[4]
- Advocate, as appropriate, for Taiwan's membership in all international organizations in which statehood is not a requirement and in which the United States is also a participant; and for Taiwan to be granted observer status in other appropriate international organizations;
- To instruct, as appropriate, representatives of the United States Government in all organizations to use the voice, vote, and influence of the United States to advocate for Taiwan's membership or observer status in such organizations;
- To advocate, as appropriate, for Taiwan's membership or observer status in all organizations as part of any relevant bilateral engagements between the United States and the People's Republic of China, including leader summits and the U.S.-China Comprehensive Economic Dialogue.
Reaction
editDomestic
editSpeaker of the House Nancy Pelosi underlined the bipartisan support that helped pass the act and stated that it "celebrates and supports Taiwan’s commitment to democracy, by preserving and promoting its position on the international stage."[5]
Taiwan
editAfter the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed the act, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen expressed thanks and said that "her country will continue to work with the U.S. to contribute to the peaceful and stable development of the Indo-Pacific Region."[6]
People's Republic of China
editChina opposed the passing of the act, calling the move a severe violation of the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques. It reiterated its stance that China has long been opposed to any form of official exchanges between Taiwan and the United States.[7]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Hsu, Stacy; Huang, Frances; Chen, Christie; Lin, Ko (March 27, 2020). "Trump signs TAIPEI Act into law". Central News Agency. Archived from the original on March 27, 2020. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
- ^ Ben, Blanchard; Tian, Yew Lun (March 26, 2020). "U.S. increases support for Taiwan, China threatens to strike back". Reuters. Archived from the original on March 27, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
- ^ "As Taiwan Loses Influence, China Gains Ground in Race With U.S." The New York Times. 20 September 2019. Archived from the original on 8 January 2020. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
- ^ "S.1678 - Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act of 2019". United States Congress. 23 May 2019. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
- ^ "Pelosi Statement on Passage of TAIPEI Act". 4 March 2020. Archived from the original on 12 March 2020. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
- ^ "Taiwan president thanks US House for passing Taipei Act". Taiwan News. 5 March 2020. Archived from the original on 20 April 2020. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
- ^ "China denounces new U.S. law on supporting Taiwan". Reuters. March 27, 2020. Archived from the original on March 27, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.