“The changes have certainly weakened the resolution and they benefit the Chinese position. China does not want the TRA to be seen as the cornerstone of US-Taiwan relations,” Blaauw said.
In a message to members of the full committee, Blaauw said: “Maybe there is some political thing going on in Faleomavaega’s subcommittee and hopefully in the full Committee mark-up next week someone can bring the earlier language back, but the new text is really not good.”
“The reason why we at FAPA coined the phrase ‘cornerstone of US-Taiwan relations’ is, of course, because the Chinese always insist that the Three Joint US-China communiques are the cornerstone of the US-Taiwan-PRC triangular relationship. You know why: Because in the communiques the US acknowledges the Chinese position that Taiwan is part of China. The people of Taiwan had zero say in the conclusion of these three detrimental-to-Taiwan communiques,” he said.
In a press statement, TECRO in Washington put a brave face on the situation and said: “This resolution reaffirms the US’ unwavering commitment to the Taiwan Relations Act, reaffirms US support for Taiwan’s democratic institutions and supports the strong and deepening relationship between the US and Taiwan.”
“As the 30th anniversary of the enactment of the TRA draws near, the action by the US Congress today clearly demonstrates the friendly and close relationship between Taiwan and the US,” it said.
RSS