February 16, 2005

Contact: Mac Zimmerman 202-225-7882

Tancredo Introduces Bipartisan Resolution to Elevate U.S. Ties with Taiwan

Measure Would Normalize Ties between Washington and Taipei, Junk "One China" Policy

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Tom Tancredo (R-Littleton) today introduced legislation that would call for the United States to resume normal diplomatic relations with Taiwan (also known as the Republic China or 'ROC').  The U.S. cut ties with Taiwan in 1979 when former U.S. President Jimmy Carter shifted recognition from the island nation to communist China.  He did so without consulting or seeking the approval of Congress. 

"Our current 'One China' policy is a fiction," said Tancredo, "Taiwan is a free, sovereign and independent country that elects its own leaders.  It is not, nor has it ever been a local government of communist China - and everyone knows that."

"It's time to scrap this intellectually dishonest and antiquated policy in favor of a little consistency and honesty," said Tancredo, "There is absolutely no good reason that the United States cannot maintain the same kind of normal relationship with the democratically elected government in Taiwan that it maintains with the autocratic regime in Beijing," said Tancredo.

Since the U.S. cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1979, the nation has developed into a regional economic powerhouse and a flourishing, pluralistic, multi-party democracy.  Despite Carter's unilateral decision to sever official ties between the US and the ROC, Taiwan remains a staunch and reliable ally of the United States.

"Mainland China and Taiwan are two independent and separate political entities - that is a simple and undeniable fact," said Tancredo, "the sooner the world recognizes that, the sooner the two sides will be able to engage in a serious, peaceful and meaningful dialogue about how best resolve their differences."

Other sponsors of the resolution include International Relations Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Florida), Rep. Mark Souder (R-Indiana), Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-New York),  and Rep. John Shimkus (R-Illinois).