[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 292 Engrossed in House (EH)]


  2d Session

                            H. CON. RES. 292

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                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 Congratulating the people of Taiwan for the successful conclusion of 
presidential elections on March 18, 2000, and reaffirming United States 
        policy toward Taiwan and the People's Republic of China.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
106th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 292

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                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Whereas section 2(c) of the Taiwan Relations Act (Public Law 96-8) states 
        ``[t]he preservation and enhancement of the human rights of all the 
        people on Taiwan'' to be an objective of the United States;
Whereas Taiwan has become a multiparty democracy in which all citizens have the 
        right to participate freely in the political process;
Whereas the people of Taiwan have, by their vigorous participation in electoral 
        campaigns and public debate, strengthened the foundations of a free and 
        democratic way of life;
Whereas Taiwan successfully conducted a presidential election on March 18, 2000;
Whereas President Lee Teng-hui of Taiwan has actively supported the 
        consolidation of democratic institutions and processes in Taiwan since 
        1988 when he became President;
Whereas this election represents the first such transition of national office 
        from one elected leader to another in the history of Chinese societies;
Whereas the continued democratic development of Taiwan is a matter of 
        fundamental importance to the advancement of United States interests in 
        East Asia and is supported by the United States Congress and the 
        American people;
Whereas a stable and peaceful security environment in East Asia is essential to 
        the furtherance of democratic developments in Taiwan and other 
        countries, as well as to the protection of human rights throughout the 
        region;
Whereas since 1972 United States policy toward the People's Republic of China 
        has been predicated upon, as stated in section 2(b)(3) of the Taiwan 
        Relations Act, ``the expectation that the future of Taiwan will be 
        determined by peaceful means'';
Whereas section 2(b)(6) of the Taiwan Relations Act further pledges ``to 
        maintain the capacity of the United States to resist any resort to force 
        or other forms of coercion that would jeopardize the security, or the 
        social or economic system, of the people of Taiwan'';
Whereas on June 9, 1998, the House of Representatives voted unanimously to adopt 
        House Concurrent Resolution 270 that called upon the President of the 
        United States to seek ``a public renunciation by the People's Republic 
        of China of any use of force, or threat to use force, against democratic 
        Taiwan'';
Whereas the People's Republic of China has consistently refused to renounce the 
        use of force against Taiwan;
Whereas the State Council, an official organ at the highest level of the 
        Government of the People's Republic of China, issued a ``white paper'' 
        on February 21, 2000, which threatened ``to adopt all drastic measures 
        possible, including the use of force,'' if Taiwan indefinitely delays 
        entering into negotiations with the People's Republic of China on the 
        issue of reunification; and
Whereas the February 21, 2000, statement by the State Council significantly 
        escalates tensions across the Taiwan Straits and sets forth a new 
        condition that has not heretofore been stated regarding the conditions 
        that would prompt the People's Republic of China to use force against 
        Taiwan: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That--
            (1) the people of Taiwan are to be congratulated for the 
        successful conclusion of presidential elections on March 18, 
        2000, and for their continuing efforts in developing and 
        sustaining a free, democratic society which respects human 
        rights and embraces free markets;
            (2) President Lee Teng-hui of Taiwan is to be congratulated 
        for his significant contributions to freedom and democracy on 
        Taiwan;
            (3) President-elect Chen Shui-bian and Vice President-elect 
        Annette Hsiu-lien Lu of Taiwan are to be congratulated for 
        their victory, and they have the strong support and best wishes 
        of the House of Representatives and the American people for a 
        successful administration;
            (4) it is the sense of the Congress that the People's 
        Republic of China should refrain from making provocative 
        threats against Taiwan and should instead undertake steps that 
        would lead to a substantive dialogue, including a renunciation 
        of the use of force against Taiwan and progress toward 
        democracy, the rule of law, and protection of human and 
        religious rights in the People's Republic of China; and
            (5) the provisions of the Taiwan Relations Act (Public Law 
        96-8) are hereby affirmed as the statutory standard by which 
        United States policy toward Taiwan shall be determined.

            Passed the House of Representatives March 28, 2000.

            Attest:

                                                                 Clerk.