By Pete Kasperowicz – 05/08/12 11:33 AM ET
Three members of the House have introduced a bipartisan resolution calling on the government to end its “One China policy” that recognizes Taiwan as a part of mainland China, not as an independent country.
The resolution, H.Con.Res. 122, argues that Taiwan has never been under China’s jurisdiction, and that the U.S.-China agreement under which the United States recognizes only one China “was established without the consultation of Congress or the people of Taiwan.” It also calls U.S. policy “obsolete,” saying it “does not reflect the obvious reality that Taiwan has functioned as an independent and sovereign country for over half a century.”
“[T]he president should abandon the fundamentally flawed ‘One China Policy’ in favor of a more realistic ‘One China, One Taiwan Policy’ that recognizes Taiwan as a sovereign and independent country, separate from the undemocratic Government of the People’s Republic of China in Beijing,” it reads. It also calls on the United States to begin the process of normalizing diplomatic relations with Taiwan, and to support Taiwan’s membership in the United Nations.
Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), the lead sponsor of the measure, said it is time to end the “One China” policy set out in the Shanghai Communique that has established a framework for U.S.-China relations since 1979, and prevents the United States and Taiwan from setting up formal embassies with each other.
“If the United States can sell fighter jets to Taiwan, we can open an embassy in Taipei,” McCaul said. “Taiwan is a vibrant democracy and has been a steadfast ally of the United States and a compassionate member of the international community.”
“Throughout our history we have supported the right to self-determination for sovereign peoples throughout the world; in the case of Taiwan, it is time to stand on that principle once again,” added Rep. Robert Andrews (D-N.J.). Rep. Sam Johnson (R-Texas) is the other sponsor of the resolution.
