Interest in Taiwan grows in U.S. House of Representatives as 1979 defense pact is reaffirmed

March 25, 1:35 PMBoston Progressive ExaminerMichael Richardson

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U.S. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) is a vocal supporter of Taiwan

The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed by voice vote a reaffirmation of the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act. House Resolution No. 55, titled "Recognizing the 30th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act" was sponsored by Rep. Shelly Berkley (D-NV) and other members of the Taiwan Congressional Caucus, which she co-chairs.

The Taiwan resolution, like the 1979 law it commemorates, is "based on the expectation that the future of Taiwan would be determined by peaceful means."

"Whereas the relationship between the United States and Taiwan has strengthened with Taiwan's evolution into a free society and a full-fledged multi-party democracy; and…"

"Whereas Taiwan's democracy has deepened with the second peaceful transfer of power from one political party to another after the presidential election of March 2008;"

"Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the Taiwan Relations Act as the cornerstone of U.S. relations with Taiwan."

The Chinese response to the congressional resolution is typified by the Chinese Xinhua news agency, which gave a critical report to the vote. "In a gross interference in China's internal affairs, the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday voted to adopt a resolution arrogantly recognizing the so-called '30th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act."

The Xinhua report closed with its own view of history. "It is widely recognized by the international community that Taiwan, an island province separated from the mainland as a result of the Chinese civil war in the late 1940s, is an integral part of China."

Earlier this month Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) announced his intention to step down as co-chair of the Taiwan Congressional Caucus, a 150-member informal group of legislators friendly and informed on Taiwan. Rohrabacher has been consistently a critic of the 'One China' policy and is one of the most vocal members of Congress about Communist Chinese claims to the island.

The Taipei Times has described Rohrabacher as "one of the most ardent pro-Taiwan legislators in Washington" and has followed his pronouncements. Rohrabacher is unhappy with the current Republic of China in-exile administration's pro-Beijing stance. The California representative considers the People's Republic of China to be autocratic and does not favor a 'reunification' with the mainland.

The 1979 Taiwan Relations Act was a congressional response to President Jimmy Carter's diplomatic recognition of the People's Republic of China and abandonment of the myth that the Republic of China in-exile was the legitimate government of China.

A federal judge reviewing terms of the 1952 San Francisco Peace Treaty in a pending case about Taiwan's international legal status has called the unresolved issue a "strategic ambiguity." The case, Roger C. S. Lin vs. United States, is pending before the District of Columbia U.S. Court of Appeals. No date for a decision has been announced.