III 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. CON. RES. 55 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 26, 2009 Received and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Recognizing the 30th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act.

Whereas April 10, 2009, will mark the 30th anniversary of the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act (Public Law 96-8), codifying in law the basis for continued commercial, cultural, and other relations between the United States and the Republic of China (Taiwan); Whereas the Taiwan Relations Act has been instrumental in maintaining peace, security, and stability in the Taiwan Strait since its enactment in 1979; Whereas when the Taiwan Relations Act was enacted, it affirmed that the United States’ decision to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China was based on the expectation that the future of Taiwan would be determined by peaceful means; Whereas the Taiwan Relations Act declares that peace and stability in the area are in the political, security, and economic interests of the United States, and are matters of international concern; Whereas the Taiwan Relations Act states that it is the policy of the United States to provide Taiwan with arms of a defensive character to maintain the capacity 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 on Taiwan; Whereas the Taiwan Relations Act also states that it is the policy of the United States to preserve and promote extensive, close, and friendly commercial, cultural and other relations between the people on Taiwan, as well as the people on the China mainland; Whereas the relationship between the United States and Taiwan has strengthened with— (1)Taiwan's evolution into a free society and a full-fledged, multi-party democracy; (2)the development of Taiwan’s robust free-market economy; (3)Taiwan’s determined effort and collaboration with the United States to combat global terrorism, as demonstrated in part by its participation in the Container Security Initiative and its generous contribution to the Pentagon Memorial Fund; and (4)the leadership role Taiwan has demonstrated in addressing transnational and global challenges, including its active engagement in humanitarian relief measures, public health endeavors, environmental protection initiatives, and financial market stabilization efforts; and Whereas Taiwan's democracy has deepened with the second peaceful transfer of power from one political party to another after the presidential election in March 2008: Now, therefore, be it

That Congress— (1)reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the Taiwan Relations Act as the cornerstone of relations between the United States and Taiwan; (2)reaffirms its support for Taiwan’s democratic institutions; and (3)supports the strong and deepening relationship between the United States and Taiwan.

Passed the House of Representatives March 24, 2009. Lorraine C. Miller, Clerk.