The US Republican Party has included the “six assurances” given to Taiwan by then-US president Ronald Reagan in 1982 and the sale of defensive arms to Taiwan in the party platform it adopted on Monday.
More than 2,400 delegates to the Republican National Convention adopted the official platform, which declares the party’s principles and policies ahead of the US presidential election in November.
It was the first time the party had made the “six assurances” part of its platform.
“Our relations will continue to be based upon the provisions of the Taiwan Relations Act, and we affirm the six assurances given to Taiwan in 1982 by President Reagan,” the platform said, adding that both sides also share many common values, such as democracy, human rights, a free-market economy and the rule of law.
The “six assurances” include US pledges not to set a date for ending arms sales to Taiwan, not to hold prior consultations with China regarding arms sales to Taiwan and not to play a mediation role between Taiwan and China.
They also include assurances that the US will not revise the Taiwan Relations Act or pressure Taiwan to enter into negotiations with China.
Describing Taiwan as “a loyal friend of America,” the Republican platform expressed support for the timely sale of defensive arms, including technology to build diesel submarines and full participation in the WHO, the International Civil Aviation Organization and other multilateral institutions.
Taiwan is pushing for a program to build indigenous submarines to replace its aging submarines and is seeking assistance from foreign defense companies.
On the issue of ties between Taiwan and China, the platform said the party opposes “any unilateral steps by either side to alter the status quo in the Taiwan Strait on the principle that all issues regarding the island’s future must be resolved peacefully, through dialogue, and be agreeable to the people of Taiwan.”
“If China were to violate those principles, the United States, in accord with the Taiwan Relations Act, will help Taiwan defend itself,” it said.
The party also praised efforts by the government to continue constructive relations across the Taiwan Strait, while calling on China to reciprocate.
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