[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 87 (Tuesday, June 18, 2013)]
[House]
[Pages H3705-H3708]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONCERNING THE PARTICIPATION OF TAIWAN IN THE INTERNATIONAL CIVIL
AVIATION ORGANIZATION
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 1151) to direct the Secretary of State to develop a strategy to
obtain observer status for Taiwan at the triennial International Civil
Aviation Organization Assembly, and for other purposes.
[[Page H3706]]
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 1151
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. CONCERNING THE PARTICIPATION OF TAIWAN IN THE
INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANIZATION.
(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Safe, secure, and economical international air
navigation and transport is important to every citizen of the
world, and safe skies are ensured through uniform aviation
standards, harmonization of security protocols, and
expeditious dissemination of information regarding new
regulations and other relevant matters.
(2) Direct and unobstructed participation in international
civil aviation forums and programs is beneficial for all
nations and their civil aviation authorities. Civil aviation
is vital to all due to the international transit and commerce
it makes possible, but must also be closely regulated due to
the possible use of aircraft as weapons of mass destruction
or to transport biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons or
other dangerous materials.
(3) The Convention on International Civil Aviation, signed
in Chicago, Illinois, on December 7, 1944, and entered into
force April 4, 1947, established the International Civil
Aviation Organization (ICAO), stating ``The aims and
objectives of the Organization are to develop the principles
and techniques of international air navigation and to foster
the planning and development of international air transport
so as to . . . meet the needs of the peoples of the world for
safe, regular, efficient and economical air transport.''.
(4) The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001,
demonstrated that the global civil aviation network is
subject to vulnerabilities that can be exploited in one
country to harm another. The ability of civil aviation
authorities to coordinate, preempt and act swiftly and in
unison is an essential element of crisis prevention and
response.
(5) Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001,
the ICAO convened a high-level Ministerial Conference on
Aviation Security that endorsed a global strategy for
strengthening aviation security worldwide and issued a public
declaration that ``a uniform approach in a global system is
essential to ensure aviation security throughout the world
and that deficiencies in any part of the system constitute a
threat to the entire global system,'' and that there should
be a commitment to ``foster international cooperation in the
field of aviation security and harmonize the implementation
of security measures''.
(6) The Taipei Flight Information Region, under the
jurisdiction of Taiwan, covers 180,000 square nautical miles
of airspace and provides air traffic control services to over
1.2 million flights annually, with the Taiwan Taoyuan
International Airport recognized as the 10th and 19th largest
airport by international cargo volume and number of
international passengers, respectively in 2011.
(7) Despite the established international consensus
regarding a uniform approach to aviation security that
fosters international cooperation, exclusion from the ICAO
since 1971 has impeded the efforts of the Government of
Taiwan to maintain civil aviation practices that comport with
evolving international standards, due to its inability to
contact the ICAO for up-to-date information on aviation
standards and norms, secure amendments to the organization's
regulations in a timely manner, obtain sufficient and timely
information needed to prepare for the implementation of new
systems and procedures set forth by the ICAO, receive
technical assistance in implementing new regulations, and
participate in technical and academic seminars hosted by the
ICAO.
(8) On October 8, 2010, the Department of State praised the
37th ICAO Assembly on its adoption of a Declaration on
Aviation Security, but noted that ``because every airport
offers a potential entry point into this global system, every
nation faces the threat from gaps in aviation security
throughout the world--and all nations must share the
responsibility for securing that system''.
(9) On October 2, 2012, Taiwan became the 37th participant
to join the United States Visa Waiver program, which is
expected to stimulate tourism and commerce that will rely
increasingly on international commercial aviation.
(10) The Government of Taiwan's exclusion from the ICAO
constitutes a serious gap in global standards that should be
addressed at the earliest opportunity in advance of the 38th
ICAO Assembly in September 2013.
(11) The Federal Aviation Administration and its
counterpart agencies in Taiwan have enjoyed close
collaboration on a wide range of issues related to innovation
and technology, civil engineering, safety and security, and
navigation.
(12) The ICAO has allowed a wide range of observers to
participate in the activities of the organization.
(13) The United States, in the 1994 Taiwan Policy Review,
declared its intention to support Taiwan's participation in
appropriate international organizations and has consistently
reiterated that support.
(14) Senate Concurrent Resolution 17, agreed to on
September 11, 2012, affirmed the sense of Congress that--
(A) meaningful participation by the Government of Taiwan as
an observer in the meetings and activities of the ICAO will
contribute both to the fulfillment of the ICAO's overarching
mission and to the success of a global strategy to address
aviation security threats based on effective international
cooperation; and
(B) the United States Government should take a leading role
in garnering international support for the granting of
observer status to Taiwan in the ICAO.
(15) Following the enactment of Public Law 108-235, a law
authorizing the Secretary of State to initiate and implement
a plan to endorse and obtain observer status for Taiwan at
the annual summit of the World Health Assembly and subsequent
advocacy by the United States, Taiwan was granted observer
status to the World Health Assembly for four consecutive
years since 2009. Both prior to and in its capacity as an
observer, Taiwan has contributed significantly to the
international community's collective efforts in pandemic
control, monitoring, early warning, and other related
matters.
(16) ICAO rules and existing practices allow for the
meaningful participation of non-contracting countries as well
as other bodies in its meetings and activities through
granting of observer status.
(b) Taiwan's Participation at ICAO.--The Secretary of State
shall--
(1) develop a strategy to obtain observer status for Taiwan
at the triennial ICAO Assembly--next held in September 2013
in Montreal, Canada--and other related meetings, activities,
and mechanisms thereafter; and
(2) instruct the United States Mission to the ICAO to
officially request observer status for Taiwan at the
triennial ICAO Assembly and other related meetings,
activities, and mechanisms thereafter and to actively urge
ICAO member states to support such observer status and
participation for Taiwan.
(c) Report Concerning Observer Status for Taiwan at the
ICAO Assembly.--Not later than 30 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to
Congress a report, in unclassified form, describing the
United States strategy to endorse and obtain observer status
for Taiwan at the triennial ICAO Assembly and at subsequent
ICAO Assemblies and at other related meetings, activities,
and mechanisms thereafter. The report shall include the
following:
(1) A description of the efforts the Secretary of State has
made to encourage ICAO member states to promote Taiwan's bid
to obtain observer status.
(2) The steps the Secretary of State will take to endorse
and obtain observer status for Taiwan in ICAO and at other
related meetings, activities, and mechanisms thereafter.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Royce) and the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr.
Faleomavaega) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
General Leave
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to
include extraneous material on this legislation.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of bipartisan legislation that I
authored to help secure observer status for Taiwan at the International
Civil Aviation Organization. This legislation requires the Secretary of
State to develop and execute a strategy to ensure that Taiwan has a
seat at the table for ICAO's upcoming September plenary meeting.
It has been over 40 years since Taiwan was last a member of ICAO.
Indeed, a lot has changed in those 40 years. As it stands now, all
communications between Taiwan and the U.S. on aviation safety must be
channeled through the American Institute in Taiwan, which is our
Nation's de facto embassy in Taiwan. The fact that Taiwan can't speak
directly to the Federal Aviation Administration without this added
layer of bureaucracy makes no sense. After all, we are talking about
air safety information that is otherwise readily available to all of
ICAO's members.
Taiwan's entry into the U.S. Visa Waiver Program last year has
dramatically increased both the frequency of flights between our
airports and the real number of travelers coming here to the United
States. For my home State of California, the increase in visitors from
Taiwan has resulted in a significant boost for the local economy,
especially for the travel industry, the leisure industry, for
restaurants,
[[Page H3707]]
for example, and shops. I'm proud to have worked on Taiwan's entry into
the Visa Waiver Program because I know that, as a result of this
agreement, Taiwanese Americans in Southern California have a much
easier time staying connected to their families.
Mr. Speaker, as the number of visitors from Taiwan has grown
exponentially, there is an urgent need to ensure that Taiwan has real-
time access to air safety information. Strengthening air safety
benefits American citizens as much as it does the Taiwanese. Every
year, tens of thousands of Americans fly through Taiwan's air space,
which must be as safe as it can be, and this bill will certainly help.
Just as Taiwan was allowed to join the World Health Organization as a
result of the SARS outbreak, so, too, should Taiwan be afforded the
opportunity to observe the proceedings of the ICAO. We all share the
responsibility to ensure that international air travel is safe.
Taiwan's unique political status has thus far hindered its inclusion in
ICAO. With this piece of legislation, we're sending a clear message
that air safety is a priority and not a geopolitical issue.
Earlier this year, my good friend Eliot Engel of New York and I
traveled to Taiwan to see firsthand the immense progress that the
people of Taiwan have made over such a short period of time. Taiwan is
indeed a beacon of freedom in the Asia-Pacific region. We share many
values with Taiwan, including an unwavering commitment to democracy, to
human rights, to free markets, and to the rule of law. Helping Taiwan
gain entry as an observer into the ICAO is the right thing to do, and I
urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
(Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to revise and extend
his remarks.)
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1151.
I would certainly like to thank personally the chief sponsor of this
proposed bill, the distinguished chairman of the Foreign Affairs
Committee, the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), for his
leadership on this issue, and also our senior ranking member, the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel), for his support as well. And I am
happy to say that I'm a proud cosponsor of this bill as well.
This legislation directs the Secretary of State to develop a strategy
to gain observer status for Taiwan at the triennial assembly of the
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Taiwan has made
significant progress in its economic and political development. Today,
Taiwan is a leading trade partner of the United States and stands as a
beacon of democracy throughout Asia. However, Taiwan has been shut out
of participating in international organizations like ICAO.
Founded in 1947, ICAO's main goal is to ensure safe and efficient air
transportation around the globe. Taiwan deserves to be brought into the
ICAO as an observer. It has jurisdiction over an airspace of
approximately 180,000 square nautical miles and provides air traffic
control services to more than 1.2 million flights a year. In my recent
visit to Taiwan as well, it was interesting to learn that there are
approximately 600 weekly flights in existence between China and Taiwan
alone. Taiwan's international airport is the world's 19th largest in
terms of passenger volume, and the number of travelers between Taiwan
and the United States is likely to increase with Taiwan's entry into
the Visa Waiver Program last year, as mentioned earlier by my
distinguished chairman, Mr. Royce.
Taiwan's exclusion from ICAO has impeded Taiwan's efforts to maintain
civil aviation practices that keep up with rapidly evolving
international standards. It is unable to even contact ICAO for up-to-
date information on aviation standards and norms. Nor can it receive
ICAO's technical assistance in implementing new regulations or
participate in ICAO technical and academic seminars.
Taiwan has made every effort to comply with ICAO's standards, but
their continued exclusion not only hurts Taiwan, but it puts the rest
of us in the entire world at risk, especially when you're talking about
safety and hazardous conditions when it deals with air travel. With
such a heavy volume of flights, Taiwan's exclusion has prevented ICAO
from developing a truly global strategy to address security threats
based on effective international cooperation.
ICAO's own rules and practices allow for the meaningful participation
of noncontracting countries as well as other organizations in its
meetings and activities through the granting of observer status.
The United States, in a review of Taiwan policy conducted in 1994,
declared its intention to support Taiwan's participation in appropriate
international organizations and has consistently reiterated that
support.
Mr. Speaker, with this bill today, Congress is calling on the United
States Government to take a leading role at ICAO to assist Taiwan in
gaining observer status, and we look forward to working with our
administration officials to track the development of these efforts.
Again, I thank the gentleman from California for his leadership on
this bill, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
I reserve the balance of my time.
{time} 1310
Mr. ROYCE. I thank the gentleman from American Samoa, and I'd like to
yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen),
chairman emeritus of the Foreign Affairs Committee and chairman of the
Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa. She is also a
cosponsor of this measure.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman of our committee
for introducing this excellent piece of legislation and for his
leadership in our committee.
I am very pleased to speak in favor of this legislation which assists
Taiwan, one of our most valued allies, in obtaining observer status at
the ICAO, or the International Civil Aviation Organization.
Taiwan is a major hub for international air travel; and,
particularly, it serves as the link between Northeast and Southeast
Asia and to Europe and the United States. And now that Taiwan has
joined the Visa Waiver Program, travel between our two nations will
undoubtedly increase.
Almost 1.3 million flights pass over the region each year; but due to
the ill advised appeasement of China at the United Nations, Taiwan must
receive its international aviation safety and security information
secondhand.
Taiwan's exclusion from international organizations like ICAO is a
short-sighted and dangerous practice. It ends up hurting the
international community as much as it does the Taiwanese people
themselves.
Preventing a significant player in aviation like Taiwan from
participating in ICAO threatens the entire international community
which depends on the application of universal aviation standards.
Unfortunately, attempts to placate China at the feeble United Nations
are nothing new and are a reminder that that organization lacks
seriousness. China's threat that foreign interference will hurt
negotiations with Taiwan to allow its participation in ICAO should be
ignored by the U.N.
The U.N. must do what is right for the entire international
community, and I urge the organization to put aside its petty politics
and work on behalf of the safety of all of the world's citizens.
Mr. Speaker, the Taiwan Relations Act continues to be the cornerstone
of U.S. foreign policy with our democratic ally, Taiwan; and we must
always keep it as the guiding beacon. The next meeting of ICAO is this
September, and I expect to see our State Department have a strategy
that they will implement to make sure that Taiwan will be at the table
this fall.
The friendship between the people of the United States and Taiwan has
cemented into one of our most cherished partnerships, and I look
forward to the United States Government demonstrating its continued
commitment to the people of Taiwan with the passage of this most
excellent bill.
I thank the chairman for the time, and I thank him for his leadership
on Taiwan through the years.
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I want to associate myself and
certainly commend the gentlelady from
[[Page H3708]]
Florida for her most eloquent statement and historical outline of what
has happened in terms of our special relationship with the people and
the leaders of Taiwan. And she could not have said it better.
You know the old saying, If you're not at the table, you're going to
be on the menu. I think Taiwan has been on the menu for too long. They
need to be at the table and especially playing such a strong and
important economic role as a democracy in Asia and as a beacon of light
to all the people of Asia as to what it means to live under democratic
conditions.
With that, Mr. Speaker, again I thank my good friend, the chairman,
for his leadership in bringing this bill. I have no further speakers,
so I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, it has been over 40 years since Taiwan last
had a seat at the International Civil Aviation Organization. The volume
of air traffic in and out of Taiwan's airports back then cannot be
compared with that incredible volume of traffic, millions of planes a
year, that come in and out of modern-day Taiwan.
Under the Visa Waiver Program, airlines have added even more flights
in order to take advantage of greater demand for tourists and business
travel from Taiwan into the United States. This number is only going to
grow as more and more Taiwanese take advantage of the Visa Waiver
Program.
It is time that we readmit Taiwan into ICAO so that everyone who
boards a plane can have the utmost confidence about the safety of their
trip. Aviation technology has progressed by leaps and bounds, and the
idea that Taiwan cannot directly communicate with the United States or
any other nation engaging in issues regarding air safety is not in
anyone's interest. That's not in the interest of any nation.
I urge my colleagues to join in supporting H.R. 1151. Taiwan is one
of America's closest friends in the world. We share so much in common,
including a steadfast dedication to democracy and the rule of law and
human rights; and it is time that we fixed this problem.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1151,
a resolution in support of one of our nation's closest friends in the
Asia-Pacific Region, Taiwan.
This resolution directs the State Department to develop a strategy to
obtain observer status for Taiwan at the upcoming International Civil
Aviation Organization Assembly.
The United States, in the 1994 Taiwan Policy Review, declared its
intention to support Taiwan's participation in appropriate
international organizations and has consistently reiterated that
support.
In 2004, this Chamber voted, with my support, legislation in support
of Taiwan's efforts to gain observer status to the World Health
Organization. Those efforts finally succeeded in 2009 when Taiwan was
included in the International Health Regulations (IHR).
For decades, Taiwan has been a key security, economic, and political
partner for the American people.
Taiwan has been one of America's biggest trading partners for many
years--the 11th largest in 2012--purchasing nearly $25 billion worth of
American goods that year.
Taiwan is also a global leader in information technology,
telecommunications, and other knowledge-based industries.
Most significantly, Taiwan is becoming a beacon of democracy for the
Chinese people after their successful, open elections in 2008 and 2012.
It is important for this Chamber to continue its support of the
Taiwanese people and enhance Taiwan's standing in international bodies.
I ask my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me and vote in
support of America's partner in peace and prosperity, Taiwan.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 1151.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
____________________