A recent US Congressional hearing held by US Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen on “Why Taiwan Matters” suggests continued US support for Taiwan and that Washington would not abandon Taiwan, Formosa Foundation chief executive Terri Giles said yesterday.
Ros-Lehtinen, who is also chairman of the US House of Representatives’ Foreign Affairs Committee, is planning to organize and invite administration officials to a second congressional hearing on issues concerning Taiwan at the end of the year, Giles said, adding that she hoped the discussion would focus on democracy in Taiwan.
The June 16 hearing held by Ros-Lehtinen before the House Foreign Affairs Committee was the first hearing on Taiwan to be held in Congress in seven years.
The Los Angeles-based Formosa Foundation, which played an important role in making the hearing happen, also had members of this year’s “Ambassador Program” observe the hearing.
The Ambassador Program is a congressional program organized by the foundation with the aim of deepening each participant’s knowledge of international relations, with an emphasis on US-Taiwan relations.
During the graduation ceremony for program participants yesterday, Giles called on the members to bring messages of support for Taiwan back to their electoral district, adding that they should never be pessimistic about Taiwan’s future.
Taiwan Relations ACT
Giles said that Ros-Lehtinen was drafting an act in relation to the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), adding that the foundation was also actively communicating with the congresswoman’s office to convey their hope that changes would not be made to the TRA, but to clarify Congress’ legislative intent in the act.
For example, the TRA supports Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the international community, but the administration often interprets it in a relatively narrow sense, Giles said, adding that arms sales between the two nations should not be on and off like they are now.
The US Congress should bring forth a better interpretation and enforcement of the TRA that fits the current reality as the existing act was enacted when Taiwan was not yet a democratic nation, she added.
The Formosa Foundation, a non-profit organization established in 2001, aims to promote understanding and support for Taiwan within the US, encouraging and offering opportunities for Taiwanese youth to participate in US politics, as well as promoting friendship among people in the Asia-Pacific.
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