The US House of Representatives yesterday passed the PROTECT Taiwan Act, which stipulates that Washington would exclude China from participating in major global financial organizations if its actions directly threaten Taiwan’s security.
The bill, proposed by Republican US Representative Frank Lucas, passed with 395 votes in favor and two against.
It stipulates that if China’s actions pose any threat to Taiwan’s security, economic or social systems, the US would, “to the maximum extent practicable,” exclude China from international financial institutions, including the G20, the Bank for International Settlements and the Financial Stability Board.
Photo: Reuters
The bill makes it clear that China must be prepared to face consequences if it engages in conflict with Taiwan, Lucas said.
The US House passed similar legislation after Russia invaded Ukraine, communicating to the world that disrupting the international order bears swift and severe consequences, he said.
China has continued its aggressive behavior in the South China Sea, and the US must take a more proactive approach to clearly show Beijing that such aggression would not be tolerated, Lucas said.
The US should respond with strength and force if China attempts to invade Taiwan, imposing multiple sanctions and economic penalties, such as excluding China from international organizations, he said.
Under the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, China cannot use force, coercion, boycotts or embargoes to force Taiwan to submit to the Chinese Communist Party and become part of “one China,” Republican US Representative French Hill said.
The PROTECT Taiwan Act would ensure that China pays a significant economic and diplomatic cost for attempting to invade Taiwan, Hill said.
The bill sends a clear message that the US would not tolerate China’s aggressive actions toward Taiwan, he said.
“The Chinese Communist Party shouldn’t benefit from global systems if it threatens its neighbors,” Democratic US Representative Greg Stanton wrote on X after voting for the bill.
“I voted for the bipartisan PROTECT Taiwan Act to push for China’s removal from major international orgs if it ever poses an immediate threat to Taiwan,” Stanton said.
“America must be firm, consistent, & focused on maintaining peace in the region,” he added.
The PROTECT Taiwan Act must be passed by the US Senate and then signed into law by the president to take effect.
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