A group of US senators — acting in bipartisan unity — have put US President Barack Obama on the spot over Taiwan.
On the eve of his trip to London where he will meet Chinese President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤), the senators asked Obama to take some action that would officially recognize the 30th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA).
“There could not be a worse time for this,” a senior political source with White House links said on condition of anonymity.
“On the one hand, we would like to do something for the anniversary, but on the other we do not want to jeopardize or impede the meeting with Hu at this juncture of the international economic crisis,” the source said.
No fewer than 30 senators — almost a third of the US Senate — signed a letter to Obama saying they hoped he would join them “in expressing our nation's continued support for freedom, security and prosperity for the people of Taiwan.”
But Obama's immediate priority will be the G20 economic summit in London, where he has the bilateral meeting with Hu as a major event on his schedule.
Over the last few days, Beijing has issued a strong statement making it clear that it regards the TRA as an interference in its internal affairs and has condemned the US Congress for celebrating the anniversary.
The White House source said it was “highly unlikely” that Obama would say anything about the TRA before his meeting with Hu, but that he might make a statement on the day itself — April 10 — which falls after the meeting.
While the source would not spell it out, the indication was that it would all depend on what progress, if any, was made in US-China relations at the London summit.
The senators are hoping that Obama will make a statement praising the TRA and reiterating the US commitment to Taiwan.
If Obama were to do that, it would serve as a warning to Beijing that the US remained ready to provide military support for Taiwan should China attempt to take it by force.
At this point US policy remains highly ambiguous and no one knows what the US would do should China attack.
The letter to Obama says: “The US has maintained a unique and close partnership with Taiwan for over 60 years. Taiwan is one of our strongest allies in Asia and has become a beacon of democracy and economic growth in a rapidly evolving and vital region for the US.”
“On April 10, the US and Taiwan will commemorate an important milestone in our longstanding relationship as we mark the 30th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act. This legislation provides an institutional framework and legal basis for our continued relations after the end of formal diplomatic ties,” it says.
“The TRA guarantees America's support for Taiwan's self-defense capability, pledges to maintain the capability to resist any resort to force or coercion that would jeopardize Taiwan and reaffirms the preservation and enhancement of the human rights of all people in Taiwan,” it states. “This unprecedented legislation has helped keep peace and stability in Asia, and has allowed a highly productive relationship between our governments to grow and prosper.”
“The US and Taiwan have brought about ties that are as strong today as at any time since passage of the TRA. Consequently, we hope you will join us in recognizing the 30th anniversary of this landmark legislation and in expressing our nation's continued support for freedom, security and prosperity for the people of Taiwan,” it adds.
Among those who signed the letter were senators James Inhofe, Tim Johnson, Ron Wyden and Sam Brownback.
Other prominent senators to sign were Joseph Lieberman, Lindsey Graham, Byron Dorgan, Orrin Hatch, Saxby Chambliss, Arlen Spector, Lisa Murkowski, John D Rockefeller and Olympia Snowe.
SECURITY: As China is ‘reshaping’ Hong Kong’s population, Taiwan must raise the eligibility threshold for applications from Hong Kongers, Chiu Chui-cheng said When Hong Kong and Macau citizens apply for residency in Taiwan, it would be under a new category that includes a “national security observation period,” Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) said yesterday. President William Lai (賴清德) on March 13 announced 17 strategies to counter China’s aggression toward Taiwan, including incorporating national security considerations into the review process for residency applications from Hong Kong and Macau citizens. The situation in Hong Kong is constantly changing, Chiu said to media yesterday on the sidelines of the Taipei Technology Run hosted by the Taipei Neihu Technology Park Development Association. With
CARROT AND STICK: While unrelenting in its military threats, China attracted nearly 40,000 Taiwanese to over 400 business events last year Nearly 40,000 Taiwanese last year joined industry events in China, such as conferences and trade fairs, supported by the Chinese government, a study showed yesterday, as Beijing ramps up a charm offensive toward Taipei alongside military pressure. China has long taken a carrot-and-stick approach to Taiwan, threatening it with the prospect of military action while reaching out to those it believes are amenable to Beijing’s point of view. Taiwanese security officials are wary of what they see as Beijing’s influence campaigns to sway public opinion after Taipei and Beijing gradually resumed travel links halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the scale of
A US Marine Corps regiment equipped with Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) is set to participate in the upcoming Balikatan 25 exercise in the Luzon Strait, marking the system’s first-ever deployment in the Philippines. US and Philippine officials have separately confirmed that the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) — the mobile launch platform for the Naval Strike Missile — would take part in the joint exercise. The missiles are being deployed to “a strategic first island chain chokepoint” in the waters between Taiwan proper and the Philippines, US-based Naval News reported. “The Luzon Strait and Bashi Channel represent a critical access
Pope Francis is be laid to rest on Saturday after lying in state for three days in St Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful are expected to flock to pay their respects to history’s first Latin American pontiff. The cardinals met yesterday in the Vatican’s synod hall to chart the next steps before a conclave begins to choose Francis’ successor, as condolences poured in from around the world. According to current norms, the conclave must begin between May 5 and 10. The cardinals set the funeral for Saturday at 10am in St Peter’s Square, to be celebrated by the dean of the College