January 11, 2024
Thanks to the efforts of key members of the US Congress, resolutions are being introduced in the House of Representatives and Senate commending Taiwan for its democratic governance as an example for the Indo-Pacific and the world. The resolutions stress that the United States will strongly support the Taiwan-US partnership regardless of the outcome of Taiwan’s upcoming elections, express concern over China’s attempts to interfere with said elections, and declare US support for Taiwan’s defense and liberal democracy.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) expresses its sincere appreciation for this staunch expression of bipartisan support in the US Congress for Taiwan-US relations and Taiwan’s democracy.
The US Congress has long lent strong bipartisan support to Taiwan. The Senate resolution was introduced by Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) and cosponsored by 38 key members of both parties, including Richard Durbin (D-IL), Senate majority whip; Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Chairman of the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy; Mitt Romney (R-UT), Ranking Member on the same subcommittee; Chris Coons (D-DE); Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH); John Cornyn (R-TX); Tammy Duckworth (D-IL); and Thom Tillis (R-NC). The Senate resolution is expected to be officially introduced on January 11 (eastern standard time).
In the House, four cochairs of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus—Gerald Connolly (D-VA), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Ami Bera (D-CA), and Andy Barr (R-KY)—introduced the resolution on January 10. Presently 35 House members of both parties have cosponsored the resolution, including Michael McCaul (R-TX), Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs; Mike Gallagher (R-WI), Chairman of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party; and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Ranking Member on the same committee.
The resolution addresses how Taiwan transitioned to a liberal democracy in the 1980s and affirms Taiwan’s civil society, diverse economy, and stable political system as the basis of Taiwan’s prosperity and liberty; this, it reads, stands in stark contrast to the “dictatorship of the proletariat” under which the people of China live. It stresses that the United States and Taiwan have stood as partners against coercion, threats of war, and armed attacks from China. It also explains that Taiwan is on the cusp of holding its eighth presidential election and 10th legislative election since its democratic transformation.
The resolution states that the US Congress commends Taiwan for the example it has set for self-governance, not just for the Pacific region but for the world; regards the democracy of Taiwan as a great strategic strength for the free world and an indispensable component of contemporary United States-Taiwan relations; remains concerned about interference in Taiwan’s 2024 elections by the Chinese Communist Party; is committed to continuing a strong partnership across diplomatic, information, military, economic, and cultural domains, regardless of the outcome of the elections; and is committed to supporting Taiwan’s self-defense and the liberty of its people through effective deterrence using all elements of United States power.
MOFA expresses sincere appreciation for the US Congress’s strong show of support and high regard for Taiwan’s freedom and democracy through these legislative actions on the eve of key elections in Taiwan.