Washington, D.C – Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) applauded House passage of H. Con. Res. 88, which reaffirms the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances as the cornerstone of United States-Taiwan relations.

Prior to the vote, Chairman Royce spoke on the House floor about the critical U.S.-Taiwan partnership. Below are Chairman Royce’s remarks, as prepared for delivery:

I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 88 – and would like to recognize Mr. Chabot for his longstanding dedication and support for the people of Taiwan.

Mr. Speaker – Taiwan has always been a strong friend and critical partner to the United States. Congress has been central to this relationship – championing a strong relationship with Taiwan through landmark measures like the Taiwan Relations Act, and through pressing successive Administrations to fulfil their obligation to sell defensive arms to Taiwan.

Taiwan is now the United States’ ninth largest trading partner, and it is in the U.S. interest to have a stable and prosperous Taiwan.

It is an exciting time in Taiwan.  In January, a free and fair election once again demonstrated the strength and vibrancy of Taiwan’s democratic system.  And, in three days, we expect the newly elected President to be inaugurated in a peaceful transfer of power from one party to another.

The people of Taiwan should be proud of their prosperous, free, and democratic society, and what they have been able to accomplish despite a number of challenges. 

Mr. Speaker, when the U.S. established diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China on January 1, 1979, the U.S. Congress acted just 100 days later to pass the Taiwan Relations Act which would ensure that the United States maintained a robust and enduring relationship with Taiwan.

Three years later, in 1982, President Reagan deepened the U.S. commitment to Taiwan by issuing “Six Assurances” to Taiwan which included treating Taiwan as we would treat any one of our allies when making decisions on defensive arms sales, not setting a date for termination of arm sales, and not altering the Taiwan Relations Act.

Mr. Speaker, this legislation is especially important when it comes to the Six Assurances.  When the Reagan Administration delivered the Six Assurances, it was by way of a verbal agreement, and has largely remained as such since 1982.  Today, by passing this resolution, Congress is going on record that the cornerstone of U.S.-Taiwan policy is not only the Taiwan Relations Act, but also the Six Assurances.

This important measure solidifies President Reagan’s commitment to Taiwan and urges this Administration and the ones that follow it to publicly, proactively, and consistently take the Six Assurances into account when handling United States-Taiwan relations.

I’m proud that in the 114th Congress, we have already passed legislation which supports Taiwan’s inclusion in INTERPOL, and that we are now also passing a measure which will reassure our friends in Taiwan, and press the Administration continue to abide by the Six Assurances.

I am also proud that maintaining a strong relationship with Taiwan continues to be a bipartisan issue.  By passing this resolution, we, the United States Congress, are yet again taking another step towards strengthening the U.S.-Taiwan partnership.

Read more about Chairman Royce’s recent work to strengthen the U.S.-Taiwan partnership:

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