Obama Administration Refuses To Reaffirm That "Six Assurances" Is Still U.S. Policy On Taiwan

Press Release

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), the Ranking Member of the Senate's Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs, today called on the Obama Administration to recommit itself to the "Six Assurances" as the centerpiece of U.S. foreign policy with respect to Taiwan.

During a subcommittee hearing on Taiwan this morning, Daniel Russel, Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, refused to confirm that the "Six Assurances" remain the guiding principles of U.S. policy toward Taiwan, as they have been since the early 1980s.

"I am troubled that Assistant Secretary Russel was not willing to clearly reaffirm President Reagan's "Six Assurances' regarding U.S. commitments to Taiwan," said Rubio. "For decades, every administration, Democrat and Republican, including this one, has reaffirmed these commitments. I am concerned that today's failure to once again make our commitment to Taiwan's security clear sends a dangerous message to China.

"I intend to seek clarification about this issue directly from Secretary Kerry," Rubio added.

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