Periodic Reviews and Updated Reports of the Department of State's Taiwan Guidelines Under the Taiwan Assurance Act of 2020
Floor Speech
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Mr. MEEKS. 1159.
This legislation introduced by Mrs. Wagner, the vice chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Messrs. Connolly and Lawler, House Foreign Affairs Committee members, showcases this body's steadfast, bipartisan commitment to Taiwan.
As a vibrant democracy and reliable partner of the United States of America, Taiwan has long been a force for good in promoting prosperity and development in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
Our robust and longstanding friendship is built on our shared values of democracy and good governance, strong people-to-people ties, and ever-expanding commercial and economic engagement.
When I visited Taiwan with Speaker Pelosi last year, the reception we received from the people was nothing short of incredible. We were welcomed with open arms. Thousands of people greeted us as the plane landed. More than that viewed us as our trip took its way to Taiwan.
Our trip demonstrated that Members of Congress will not be dictated to by Beijing and that we will not sit idly by as Beijing attempts to intimidate and coerce our friend.
The people of Taiwan showed us tremendous respect and affection, so much so it was in a way that I believe demonstrates their confidence that the United States Congress will continue to stand up for them.
In acknowledgment of our deep and lasting friendship, the Biden administration took concrete steps to encourage greater engagement with Taiwan. In April 2021, the State Department revised its guidelines to liberalize executive branch interactions with Taiwan counterparts in a way that is consistent with our One China policy and honors our longstanding ties to Taiwan as enshrined in the Taiwan Relations Act.
This legislation amends the Taiwan Assurance Act of 2020 to reauthorize regular reporting on the State Department's Taiwan contact guidelines. This bill sends a strong message that Congress stands with our friends in Taiwan, supports greater engagement, and wants to have an active part in strengthening the United States-Taiwan relationship.
As the United States and Taiwan look to further enhance our cooperation, facilitating ways to bolster our ongoing people-to-people ties is vital. Not only have our two sides benefited tremendously from our close engagement, but the world stands to benefit, as well.
Again, I congratulate Representative Wagner, the vice chair of the committee; Mr. Connolly; and Mr. Lawler for coming up with this bipartisan bill, and I encourage all of my colleagues to support this bill.
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Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1159 is an important bipartisan measure that reauthorizes regular reporting on the State Department's Taiwan contact guidelines to Congress and encourages greater engagement with our friends in Taiwan, consistent with our One China policy.
As a vibrant democracy, a force of good will, and a model for the world, Taiwan is, indeed, a key part of the Indo-Pacific region. It is vital that we find concrete ways to expand and deepen interactions at every level and work together to advance our mutual priorities based on our shared values, strong people-to-people ties, and common vision for the region.
Again, I thank Vice Chair Wagner, Mr. Connolly, and Mr. Lawler for coming together with this strong bipartisan bill, and I urge all of my colleagues to join us and support this very important bill.
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