Taiwan International Solidarity Act
Floor Speech
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Mr. BARR. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1176) to amend the Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act of 2019 to provide that the United States, as a member of any international organizations, should oppose any attempts by the People's Republic of China to resolve Taiwan's status by distorting the decisions, language, policies, or procedures of the organization, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 1176
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Taiwan International Solidarity Act''. SEC. 2. CLARIFICATION REGARDING UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION 2758 (XXVI).
Subsection (a) of section 2 of the Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act of 2019 (Public Law 116-135) (relating to diplomatic relations with Taiwan) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
``(10) United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 (XXVI) established the representatives of the Government of the People's Republic of China as the only lawful representatives of China to the United Nations. The resolution did not address the issue of representation of Taiwan and its people in the United Nations or any related organizations, nor did the resolution take a position on the relationship between the People's Republic of China and Taiwan or include any statement pertaining to Taiwan's sovereignty.
``(11) The United States opposes any initiative that seeks to change Taiwan's status without the consent of the people.''. SEC. 3. UNITED STATES ADVOCACY FOR INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS TO RESIST THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA'S EFFORTS TO DISTORT THE ``ONE CHINA'' POSITION.
Section 4 of the Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act of 2019 (relating to the policy of the United States regarding Taiwan's participation in international organizations) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' after the semicolon at the end;
(2) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(5) to instruct, as appropriate, representatives of the United States Government in all organizations described in paragraph (1) to use the voice, vote, and influence of the United States to advocate such organizations to resist the People's Republic of China's efforts to distort the decisions, language, policies, or procedures of such organizations regarding Taiwan.''. SEC. 4. OPPOSING THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA'S EFFORTS TO UNDERMINE TAIWAN'S TIES AND PARTNERSHIPS INTERNATIONALLY.
Subsection (a) of section 5 of the Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act of 2019 (relating to strengthening ties with Taiwan) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' after the semicolon at the end;
(2) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(5) encourage, as appropriate, United States allies and partners to oppose the People's Republic of China's efforts to undermine Taiwan's official diplomatic relationships and its partnerships with countries with which it does not maintain diplomatic relations.''. SEC. 5. REPORT ON THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA'S ATTEMPTS TO PROMOTE ITS ``ONE CHINA'' POSITION.
(a) In General.--Subsection (b) of section 5 of the Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act of 2019 (relating to strengthening ties with Taiwan) is amended by inserting before the period at the end the following: ``, as well as information relating to any prior or ongoing attempts by the People's Republic of China to undermine Taiwan's membership or observer status in all organizations described in section (4)(1) and Taiwan's ties and relationships with other countries in accordance with subsection (a) of this section''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and apply beginning with the first report required under subsection (b) of section 5 of the Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act of 2019, as amended by subsection (a), that is required after such date.
Mr. Speaker, Taiwan, an island of democracy and stability, is a key U.S. partner facing an increasingly aggressive Chinese Communist Party. Chinese military aggression is the most visible type of coercion against Taiwan, but CCP influence is widespread. In almost every international organization, the CCP is taking over leadership positions and pushing Taiwan aside.
For far too long, the CCP has employed an insidious strategic approach to suppress Taiwan's participation in the international community. The Chinese Communist Party has undermined Taiwan and spread propaganda about that democracy's ability to participate in international organizations. We cannot turn a blind eye to this assault on the very institutions we helped build after World War II.
There is no clearer example of the Chinese Communist Party's nefarious tactics than their manipulation of U.N. Resolution 2758. Passed in 1971, that resolution recognized the PRC as the U.N. representative for China.
It said nothing about Taiwan's U.N. representation or sovereignty, yet the CCP propaganda wrongly claims that this resolution asserts PRC representation over Taiwan. Beijing has used it as a weapon to prevent Taiwan from participating in international organizations. This resolution, which was intended to bring nations together, has instead been exploited to isolate Taiwan. We cannot allow this blatant assault on freedom to go unchallenged.
Taiwan is a vibrant and thriving democracy rooted in freedom, pushing the envelope on advanced technology like semiconductors. By supporting Taiwan's participation in international organizations, we bolster our own national security, enhance regional stability, and safeguard the interests of the United States and our allies.
The consequences of Beijing's actions extend far beyond Taiwan's borders. The CCP's suffocating grip prevents Taiwan from sharing its invaluable expertise in areas such as public health, technology, and humanitarian aid.
For example, Taiwan is not a member of the WHO because of the CCP, but it was Taiwan that came forward at the end of 2019 with an early warning of COVID-19. Meanwhile, the CCP robbed the world of critical time needed to counter the pandemic, causing millions to die around the world. This is what happens when the CCP manipulates international organizations, and this is what happens when Taiwan is excluded from international organizations: Millions die.
By supporting Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations, we demonstrate to the CCP that we stand firm in our commitment to promoting freedom, democracy, and human rights.
I thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly), a fellow co-chair of the Taiwan Caucus, for introducing this bipartisan bill, of which I am a proud original cosponsor.
H.R. 1176 will send a clear message to the CCP that we will not tolerate their attempts to suppress, delegitimize, and coerce Taiwan and its people. The Taiwan Relations Act holds that it is United States policy to maintain their capacity ``to resist any resort to force or other forms of coercion. . . .'' That policy must include the stance we are taking today, to resist the Chinese Communist Party's coercive tactics at international organizations.
Mr. Speaker, this bill deserves our unanimous support. I reserve the balance of my time.
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Mr. BARR. He is a great friend to the people of Taiwan and a member of the Taiwan Caucus.
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Mr. BARR. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the right to close. I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I, once again, commend my colleagues, the gentleman from Virginia and the gentleman from Utah, for their leadership in introducing the Taiwan International Solidarity Act for standing with the people of Taiwan.
Obviously, Taiwan does hold some status in some regional organizations, international organizations, and it holds observer or other status in several other bodies. But Taiwan cannot participate in organizations that are key to transnational issues, such as the World Health Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization, or INTERPOL, as has been pointed out. China continues to advocate for Taiwan's exclusion in these international organizations and blocks Taiwan's participation in the United Nations.
This bill would amend the Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative Act, or the TAIPEI Act of 2019, to reiterate that the United States, as a member of any international organization, should oppose attempts by the People's Republic of China to resolve Taiwan's status by distorting the decisions, language, policies, or procedures, of international organizations.
This bill encourages U.S. allies and partners to oppose the Chinese Communist efforts to undermine Taiwan's official diplomatic relationships and its partnerships with countries with which it does not maintain diplomatic relations.
The bill adds an additional requirement to report to Congress on the PRC's attempts to promote its One China position in undermining Taiwan's membership or observer status in international organizations and Taiwan's ties and relationships with other countries.
Mr. Speaker, I traveled to Taipei back in September of last year. This was a major topic of discussion, Taiwan's systematic exclusion from international organizations, and the coercive actions of the Chinese Communist Party in working against Taiwan being a participant in the international community. This is wrong.
The United States needs to stand with the Taiwan people and the democracy, that island of democracy and stability. That is why every Member of this body should support this important legislation and stand for Taiwan's inclusion and constructive participation in international organizations.
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