[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 440 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 440

 Expressing the sense of Congress that the United States should resume 
 normal diplomatic relations with the Republic of China on Taiwan, and 
                          for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              June 2, 2004

 Mr. Tancredo submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
          referred to the Committee on International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing the sense of Congress that the United States should resume 
 normal diplomatic relations with the Republic of China on Taiwan, and 
                          for other purposes.

Whereas the people of the Republic of China on Taiwan have established a vibrant 
        and pluralistic democracy on the island of Taiwan;
Whereas the people of the Republic of China on Taiwan have conducted 3 
        successful Presidential elections, successive elections for members of 
        the Legislative Yuan, numerous local elections, and one national 
        referendum;
Whereas Taiwan has never been under the jurisdiction of the Communist government 
        in Beijing, which continues to illegitimately claim sovereignty over 
        Taiwan and its 23,000,000 citizens;
Whereas the Republic of China on Taiwan maintained formal diplomatic relations 
        with the United States until 1979, and was represented at the United 
        Nations until 1972;
Whereas former President Jimmy Carter abruptly severed diplomatic ties with the 
        Republic of China on Taiwan in 1979, and terminated the Mutual Defense 
        Treaty between the Republic of China on Taiwan and the United States 
        without consultation with, or the approval of, Congress;
Whereas the 1972 Shanghai Communique, which maintains that there is ``One 
        China'' and that ``Taiwan is part of China,'' was established without 
        the consultation of the people of Taiwan;
Whereas Communist China has since used the ``One China Policy'' to block 
        Taiwan's membership and full participation in international 
        organizations and events ranging from the United Nations and the World 
        Health Organization to the Olympics;
Whereas the ``One China Policy'' is effectively obsolete, and does not the 
        reflect the obvious reality that Taiwan has, is, and continues to 
        effectively function as an independent and sovereign nation;
Whereas Communist China has repeatedly refused to engage in good-faith 
        negotiations with the Republic of China on Taiwan to bring about a 
        peaceful and equitable solution to cross-straits tensions;
Whereas Communist China continually threatens military force against the people 
        of Taiwan, and has repeatedly attempted to influence and disrupt their 
        democratic elections; and
Whereas the Republic of China on Taiwan has been an ally of the United States 
        through World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the War on 
        Terror, and the conflict in Iraq: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That--
            (1) the United States commends the people of the Republic 
        of China on Taiwan for having established a democracy and for 
        repeatedly reaffirming their dedication to democratic ideals 
        and human rights; and
            (2) it is the sense of Congress that--
                    (A) the President of the United States should 
                recognize the Republic of China on Taiwan as a 
                sovereign government, separate from the authoritarian 
                communist regime in Beijing, and immediately resume 
                normal diplomatic relations with the Republic of China 
                on Taiwan;
                    (B) the United States should enter into a bilateral 
                agreement with the Republic of China on Taiwan, 
                acknowledging a sense of unity between the Republic of 
                China on Taiwan and the United States, and a common 
                determination to maintain safety and regional security 
                in the West Pacific region; and
                    (C) the Republic of China on Taiwan should be 
                permitted to participate fully in all international 
                organizations for which statehood is a requirement for 
                membership, including the United Nations.
                                 <all>