Expressing the sense of Congress that the United States should resume normal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, negotiate a bilateral free trade agreement with Taiwan, and support Taiwan's membership in international organizations.

IV 116TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 117 Expressing the sense of Congress that the United States should resume normal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, negotiate a bilateral free trade agreement with Taiwan, and support Taiwan’s membership in inter- national organizations. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 Mr. TIFFANY submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was re- ferred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Com- mittee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Expressing the sense of Congress that the United States should resume normal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, negotiate a bilateral free trade agreement with Taiwan, and support Taiwan’s membership in international orga- nizations. Whereas the people of Taiwan have established a free, open, pluralistic, and democratic society; Whereas the people of Taiwan have conducted 7 democratic Presidential elections yielding 3 peaceful transfers of ad- ministration, successive democratic elections for members of the national legislature, multiple nationwide referenda, and numerous local elections; VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:59 Sep 17, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HC117.IH HC117 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 2 •HCON 117 IH Whereas Taiwan and its outlying islands have never been under the jurisdiction or control of the Communist re- gime in Beijing, which continues to illegitimately claim sovereignty over Taiwan and its people; Whereas Communist China has weaponized the so-called ‘‘One China Policy’’ to block Taiwan’s membership and full participation in international organizations and events ranging from the United Nations and the World Health Organization to the Olympic Games; Whereas the so-called ‘‘One China Policy’’ is obsolete, does not serve the people of Taiwan or the United States, and fails to reflect the obvious reality that Taiwan has been a sovereign and independent country for over 70 years; Whereas Taiwan maintains diplomatic, cultural, and eco- nomic links with several countries around the world, dem- onstrating its clear independence from the People’s Re- public of China; Whereas Taiwan and the United States maintained normal diplomatic relations and a Mutual Defense Treaty until President Carter abruptly abandoned both without the approval of Congress in 1979; Whereas Congress responded by adopting the landmark, bi- partisan Taiwan Relations Act, codifying in law the basis for continued friendly relations between the people of the United States and Taiwan; Whereas former President Reagan strengthened ties with Taiwan by issuing the ‘‘Six Assurances’’, noting that the United States would not formally recognize Communist Chinese sovereignty over Taiwan; VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:59 Sep 17, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HC117.IH HC117 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 3 •HCON 117 IH Whereas former President Clinton declared ‘‘that the issues between Beijing and Taiwan must be resolved peacefully and with the assent of the people of Taiwan’’; Whereas President Trump has approved the sale of defense articles to Taiwan and signed bipartisan legislation allow- ing for expanded high-level exchanges and cooperation between Taiwanese and American officials; and Whereas Taiwan remains a steadfast ally of the United States and a responsible and conscientious member of the international community: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 1 concurring), That— 2 (1) the United States commends the people of 3 Taiwan for their commitment to democracy, civil lib- 4 erties, and human rights; and 5 (2) it is the sense of Congress that— 6 (A) the President should abandon the anti- 7 quated ‘‘One China Policy’’ in favor of a policy 8 that recognizes Taiwan as an independent coun- 9 try not governed by or included within the terri- 10 tory of the People’s Republic of China; 11 (B) the President should recognize the le- 12 gitimacy of the democratically elected National 13 Government in Taipei, normalize diplomatic re- 14 lations between our two nations, appoint a 15 United States ambassador to Taiwan, and re- 16 VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:59 Sep 17, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HC117.IH HC117 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 4 •HCON 117 IH ceive a Taiwanese ambassador to the United 1 States; 2 (C) the President should rescind arbitrary 3 agency guidelines that restrict normal commu- 4 nication and interaction between United States 5 and Taiwanese officials; 6 (D) the United States Trade Representa- 7 tive should initiate formal negotiations with 8 Taiwan on the establishment of a United 9 States-Taiwan Free Trade Agreement; and 10 (E) the President, the Permanent Rep- 11 resentative of the United States to the United 12 Nations, and other relevant United States offi- 13 cials should take steps to advocate for Taiwan’s 14 full membership in the United Nations and 15 other international organizations in which the 16 United States is a member. 17 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:59 Sep 17, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HC117.IH HC117 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS