III 109th CONGRESS 2d Session S. CON. RES. 106 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 27, 2006 Mr. Johnson (for himself and Mr. Allen) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Expressing the sense of Congress regarding high level visits to the United States by democratically elected officials of Taiwan.

Whereas, for over half a century, a close relationship has existed between the United States and Taiwan, which has been of enormous political, economic, cultural, and strategic advantage to both countries; Whereas Taiwan is one of the strongest democratic allies of the United States in the Asia-Pacific region; Whereas it is United States policy to support and strengthen democracy around the world; Whereas during the late 1980s and early 1990s, Taiwan made a remarkable transition to a full-fledged democracy with a vibrant economy and a vigorous multi-party political system that respects human rights and the rule of law; Whereas President George W. Bush, in a November 2005 speech in Kyoto, Japan, lauded the Government of Taiwan for its democratic achievements; Whereas, in spite of its praise for democracy in Taiwan, the United States Government continues to adhere to guidelines from the 1970s that bar the President, Vice President, Premier, Foreign Minister, and Defense Minister of Taiwan from coming to Washington, D.C.; Whereas the United States Government has barred these high-level officials from visiting Washington, D.C., while allowing the unelected leaders of the People's Republic of China to routinely visit Washington, D.C., and welcoming them to the White House; Whereas these self-imposed restrictions lead to a lack of direct contact and communication with the democratically elected leaders of Taiwan and deprive the President, Congress, and the American public of the opportunity to engage in a direct dialogue regarding developments in the Asia-Pacific region and key elements of the relationship between the United States and Taiwan; Whereas, in consideration of the major economic, security, and political interests shared by the United States and Taiwan, it is to the benefit of the United States for United States officials to meet with and communicate directly with the democratically elected leaders of Taiwan; Whereas, since the Taiwan Strait is one of the flashpoints in the world, it is important that United States policymakers directly communicate with the leaders of Taiwan; and Whereas, Section 221 of the Immigration and Nationality Technical Corrections Act of 1994 (8 U.S.C. 1101 note) provides that the President or other high-level officials of Taiwan may visit the United States, including Washington D.C., at any time to discuss a variety of important issues: Now, therefore, be it

That it is the Sense of Congress that— (1)restrictions on visits to the United States by high-level elected and appointed officials of Taiwan, including the democratically-elected President of Taiwan, should be lifted; (2)the United States should allow direct high-level exchanges at the Cabinet level, in order to strengthen a policy dialogue with the Government of Taiwan; and (3)it is in the interest of the United States to strengthen links between the United States and the democratically-elected Government of Taiwan and demonstrate stronger support for democracy in the Asia-Pacific region.