China-US relations: pushing against Beijing, Washington lawmakers plan pro-Taiwan bill
- This week, Democratic and Republican leaders of the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Asia subcommittee will introduce the Taiwan Peace and Stability Act
- New bill does not advocate a move away from the long-standing US stance of ‘strategic ambiguity’ despite calls from hawkish members of Congress
Representatives Ami Bera and Steve Chabot, the Democratic and Republican leaders of the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Asia subcommittee, will introduce the Taiwan Peace and Stability Act, a measure “to support the diplomatic, economic and physical space” of the self-governing island.
“Hopefully, we’re able to pass something in a bipartisan way on the House floor,” Bera said in a telephone interview. “I think this is an area where we can hopefully speak with one voice.”
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House leaders do not currently plan to vote on the Senate bill. Instead, House committees are writing their own legislation, which must pass the House, be combined with the Senate bill and pass both chambers before it can become law, a process that can take weeks.
The new House Taiwan bill does not advocate a switch from the long-standing US stance of “strategic ambiguity” despite calls from some of the most hawkish members of Congress for a clear commitment to defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack.
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The Biden administration opposes such a shift.
The US is Taiwan’s strongest international backer and main source of arms, which angers China, but like most countries Washington has no formal diplomatic ties with Taipei. Beijing says the island is part of “one China” and routinely denounces foreign involvement as an interference in its internal affairs.
The legislation stresses the importance of stability. It calls on the Biden administration to report within 90 days on a whole-of-government strategy to enhance deterrence against a cross-Strait conflict, stressing cooperation with allies.
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Bera said that despite its concerns over Taiwan, the US should not send a signal to Beijing that it favours the island’s independence.
“The last thing we want is China to misinterpret the United States’ and the world’s commitment to what has worked very well in the past – the one-China policy,” he said.
The Biden administration opposes such a shift but has committed to deepening its unofficial relationship with Taipei in the face of growing pressure on the island from Beijing.
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The bill also calls on US agencies to analyse ways to help Taiwan economically and expand development.
And it recognises Taiwan as an important contributor to the global community and calls on the Biden administration to submit a strategy for advancing Taiwan’s “meaningful participation” in international organisations.
