Taiwan Relations Act Nears Half-Century Mark, US Lawmakers Affirm It as Cornerstone of Bilateral Ties
The Taiwan Relations Act, a US domestic law effective January 1, 1979, along with three US-China joint communiqués, forms the primary framework for US policy across the Taiwan Strait. This law aims to maintain peace and stability in the Western Pacific, explicitly outlining US commitments to Taiwan's security. US arms sales and defense cooperation with Taiwan are based on its provisions. US lawmakers commend the Act for inspiring Taiwan's democracy, strengthening economic reciprocity, and supporting Indo-Pacific stability.
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A: In December 1978, the US Carter administration announced that it would establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China on January 1, 1979, severing diplomatic ties with the Republic of China (present-day Taiwan), which were first established in 1913. Many supporters of the Republic of China in the US Congress promoted the legislation of the Taiwan Relations Act to maintain various unofficial relations with Taiwan. After being signed by President Carter on April 10, it was retroactively effective from January 1, 1979.
A: The Taiwan Relations Act is a US domestic law with 18 articles, approximately 4600 Chinese characters. Some in the US argue that because it is a law, its status is higher than the three joint communiqués between Washington and Beijing (the 1972 Shanghai Communiqué, the 1979 Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations, and the 1982 August 17 Communiqué). China, however, argues that the three joint communiqués are diplomatic documents with legal effect.
A: The Taiwan Relations Act and the three joint communiqués signed by the US and China are often referred to as "one law and three communiqués," and they jointly form the main framework of US policy across the Taiwan Strait.
In addition to authorizing the executive branch to "continue to maintain commercial, cultural, and other relations between the people of the United States and the people on Taiwan, to promote US foreign policy, and for other purposes," the Taiwan Relations Act explicitly states that its purpose is to "help maintain peace, security, and stability in the Western Pacific."
The part of the Taiwan Relations Act that best embodies the US commitment to Taiwan's security is Article 2B, which states: peace and stability in the Western Pacific area are in the political, security, and economic interests of the United States, and are matters of international concern; the decision by the United States to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China rests upon the expectation that the future of Taiwan will be determined by peaceful means; any effort to determine the future of Taiwan by other than peaceful means, including by boycotts or embargoes, is a threat to the peace and security of the Western Pacific area and of grave concern to the United States; to provide Taiwan with arms of a defensive character; to maintain the capacity of the United States to resist any resort to force or other forms of coercion that would jeopardize the security, or the social or economic system, of the people on Taiwan.
US arms sales to Taiwan and US-Taiwan cooperation on Taiwan's defense are based on the above provisions.
A: Yes. At the same time that the US Reagan administration signed the August 17 Communiqué with China, it privately offered Taiwan "Six Assurances," primarily to offset the provisions in the August 17 Communiqué regarding the gradual reduction of US arms sales to Taiwan. In 2016, the US Senate and House of Representatives separately passed joint resolutions, slightly adjusting the content of the Six Assurances to Taiwan and formalizing them in congressional documents, but these two joint resolutions only expressed congressional positions and had no legal binding force.
In addition, some pro-Taiwan members of the US Congress believe that the Taiwan Relations Act is not clear enough on how the US should respond if Taiwan is militarily invaded by China (the so-called strategic ambiguity), and therefore proposed the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act in 2000, but it was not passed.
In March 2018, President Trump signed the Taiwan Travel Act into law, meaning that the level of official visits between Taiwan and the US could be raised.
Since then, the relationship has grown stronger based on shared democratic values, economic ties, and bilateral security interests. As co-chair of the House Taiwan Caucus, I look forward to continuing to strengthen bilateral relations and firmly opposing regional coercion.
Democratic US Representative Don Beyer, who recently visited Taiwan, posted that for nearly 50 years, the Taiwan Relations Act has safeguarded and inspired Taiwan's democracy, strengthened economically reciprocal partnerships, and supported stability in the Indo-Pacific region. This is an example of the thoughtful results of US foreign policy.
Democratic US Representative Joe Morelle tweeted that today marks the 47th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, a bipartisan US commitment to peace, stability, and democratic partnership. Taiwan remains an indispensable economic and cultural partner, and we firmly support Taiwan's security and self-determination.
Democratic US Representative Suzan DelBene from Washington State posted that today marks the 47th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, which is the foundation of the strong US-Taiwan relationship. Taiwan is one of the closest friends and trading partners of the United States and plays an important role in Washington State's economy. We will continue to support a strong bilateral partnership. (Editor: Hsu Jui-cheng) 1150411
A: The Taiwan Relations Act is a US domestic law with 18 articles, approximately 4600 Chinese characters. Some in the US argue that because it is a law, its status is higher than the three joint communiqués between Washington and Beijing (the 1972 Shanghai Communiqué, the 1979 Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations, and the 1982 August 17 Communiqué). China, however, argues that the three joint communiqués are diplomatic documents with legal effect.
A: The Taiwan Relations Act and the three joint communiqués signed by the US and China are often referred to as "one law and three communiqués," and they jointly form the main framework of US policy across the Taiwan Strait.
In addition to authorizing the executive branch to "continue to maintain commercial, cultural, and other relations between the people of the United States and the people on Taiwan, to promote US foreign policy, and for other purposes," the Taiwan Relations Act explicitly states that its purpose is to "help maintain peace, security, and stability in the Western Pacific."
The part of the Taiwan Relations Act that best embodies the US commitment to Taiwan's security is Article 2B, which states: peace and stability in the Western Pacific area are in the political, security, and economic interests of the United States, and are matters of international concern; the decision by the United States to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China rests upon the expectation that the future of Taiwan will be determined by peaceful means; any effort to determine the future of Taiwan by other than peaceful means, including by boycotts or embargoes, is a threat to the peace and security of the Western Pacific area and of grave concern to the United States; to provide Taiwan with arms of a defensive character; to maintain the capacity of the United States to resist any resort to force or other forms of coercion that would jeopardize the security, or the social or economic system, of the people on Taiwan.
US arms sales to Taiwan and US-Taiwan cooperation on Taiwan's defense are based on the above provisions.
A: Yes. At the same time that the US Reagan administration signed the August 17 Communiqué with China, it privately offered Taiwan "Six Assurances," primarily to offset the provisions in the August 17 Communiqué regarding the gradual reduction of US arms sales to Taiwan. In 2016, the US Senate and House of Representatives separately passed joint resolutions, slightly adjusting the content of the Six Assurances to Taiwan and formalizing them in congressional documents, but these two joint resolutions only expressed congressional positions and had no legal binding force.
In addition, some pro-Taiwan members of the US Congress believe that the Taiwan Relations Act is not clear enough on how the US should respond if Taiwan is militarily invaded by China (the so-called strategic ambiguity), and therefore proposed the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act in 2000, but it was not passed.
In March 2018, President Trump signed the Taiwan Travel Act into law, meaning that the level of official visits between Taiwan and the US could be raised.
Since then, the relationship has grown stronger based on shared democratic values, economic ties, and bilateral security interests. As co-chair of the House Taiwan Caucus, I look forward to continuing to strengthen bilateral relations and firmly opposing regional coercion.
Democratic US Representative Don Beyer, who recently visited Taiwan, posted that for nearly 50 years, the Taiwan Relations Act has safeguarded and inspired Taiwan's democracy, strengthened economically reciprocal partnerships, and supported stability in the Indo-Pacific region. This is an example of the thoughtful results of US foreign policy.
Democratic US Representative Joe Morelle tweeted that today marks the 47th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, a bipartisan US commitment to peace, stability, and democratic partnership. Taiwan remains an indispensable economic and cultural partner, and we firmly support Taiwan's security and self-determination.
Democratic US Representative Suzan DelBene from Washington State posted that today marks the 47th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, which is the foundation of the strong US-Taiwan relationship. Taiwan is one of the closest friends and trading partners of the United States and plays an important role in Washington State's economy. We will continue to support a strong bilateral partnership. (Editor: Hsu Jui-cheng) 1150411
FAQ
What is the Taiwan Relations Act?
The Taiwan Relations Act is a US domestic law that became effective on January 1, 1979. It aims to maintain unofficial relations between the US and Taiwan and promote peace and stability in the Western Pacific region. This law serves as the basis for US arms sales and defense cooperation with Taiwan.
What is the status of the Taiwan Relations Act in US-China relations?
The Taiwan Relations Act, along with the three US-China joint communiqués (Shanghai Communiqué, Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations, and August 17 Communiqué), forms the main framework for US policy across the Taiwan Strait, often referred to as "one law and three communiqués." Some in the US argue that because it is a law, its status is higher than the joint communiqués.