[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 74 (Monday, May 5, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H1836-H1838]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TAIWAN INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY ACT
Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 2416) to amend the Taiwan Allies International Protection and
Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act of 2019 to provide that the United
States, as a member of any international organizations, should oppose
any attempts by the People's Republic of China to resolve Taiwan's
status by distorting the decisions, language, policies, or procedures
of the organization, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 2416
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Taiwan International
Solidarity Act''.
SEC. 2. CLARIFICATION REGARDING UNITED NATIONS GENERAL
ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION 2758 (XXVI).
Subsection (a) of section 2 of the Taiwan Allies
International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI)
Act of 2019 (Public Law 116-135) (relating to diplomatic
relations with Taiwan) is amended by adding at the end the
following new paragraphs:
``(10) United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758
(XXVI) established the representatives of the Government of
the People's Republic of China as the only lawful
representatives of China to the United Nations. The
resolution did not address the issue of representation of
Taiwan and its people in the United Nations or any related
organizations, nor did the resolution take a position on the
relationship between the People's Republic of China and
Taiwan or include any statement pertaining to Taiwan's
sovereignty.
``(11) The United States opposes any initiative that seeks
to change Taiwan's status without the consent of the
people.''.
SEC. 3. UNITED STATES ADVOCACY FOR INTERNATIONAL
ORGANIZATIONS TO RESIST THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC
OF CHINA'S EFFORTS TO DISTORT THE ``ONE CHINA''
POSITION.
Section 4 of the Taiwan Allies International Protection and
Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act of 2019 (relating to the
policy of the United States regarding Taiwan's participation
in international organizations) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon at the end;
(2) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(5) to instruct, as appropriate, representatives of the
United States Government in all organizations described in
paragraph (1) to use the voice, vote, and influence of the
United States to advocate such organizations to resist the
People's Republic of China's efforts to distort the
decisions, language, policies, or procedures of such
organizations regarding Taiwan.''.
SEC. 4. OPPOSING THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA'S EFFORTS TO
UNDERMINE TAIWAN'S TIES AND PARTNERSHIPS
INTERNATIONALLY.
Subsection (a) of section 5 of the Taiwan Allies
International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI)
Act of 2019 (relating to strengthening ties with Taiwan) is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon at the end;
(2) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(5) encourage, as appropriate, United States allies and
partners to oppose the People's Republic of China's efforts
to undermine Taiwan's official diplomatic relationships and
its partnerships with countries with which it does not
maintain diplomatic relations.''.
SEC. 5. REPORT ON THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA'S ATTEMPTS
TO PROMOTE ITS ``ONE CHINA'' POSITION.
(a) In General.--Subsection (b) of section 5 of the Taiwan
Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative
(TAIPEI) Act of 2019 (relating to strengthening ties with
Taiwan) is amended by inserting before the period at the end
the following: ``, as well as information relating to any
prior or ongoing attempts by the People's Republic of China
to undermine Taiwan's membership or observer status in all
organizations described in section (4)(1) and Taiwan's ties
and relationships with other countries in accordance with
subsection (a) of this section''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a)
shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act
and apply beginning with the first report required under
subsection (b) of section 5 of the Taiwan Allies
International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI)
Act of 2019, as amended by subsection (a), that is required
after such date.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Florida (Mr. Mast) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Olszewski) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.
[[Page H1837]]
General Leave
Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on this measure.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Florida?
There was no objection.
{time} 1630
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Taiwan International
Solidarity Act, a vital update to the TAIPEI Act that reflects both the
realities of today's global landscape and the urgency of standing up to
the Chinese Communist Party, as we have spoken about at length today.
This amendment makes clear that the United States, as a participant
in any international organization, must actually oppose attempts by the
CCP to distort the policies, procedures, or language of those
institutions in order to manipulate Taiwan's status.
Let me be blunt: Beijing has waged a systematic campaign to erase
Taiwan from the international stage. From the World Health Organization
to the International Civil Aviation Organization, the CCP has bullied,
bribed, and pressured global institutions and countries into sidelining
Taiwan despite Taiwan's clear qualifications and its contributions to
global health, security, and commerce.
Few examples illustrate the Chinese Communist Party's deceptive
tactics more clearly than its distortion of U.N. General Assembly
Resolution 2758. Adopted in 1971, the resolution recognized the
People's Republic of China as the legitimate representative of China at
the United Nations. It made no mention, explicit or implicit, of
Taiwan's status, sovereignty, or representation, yet Beijing has
deliberately misinterpreted this resolution, falsely claiming it
provides international recognition of the PRC's authority over Taiwan.
This misinterpretation has been weaponized to exclude Taiwan from
global institutions and forums.
What was intended as a procedural resolution has been cynically
exploited to isolate a democratic and peaceful partner. This calculated
assault on truth and freedom must not go unchallenged.
The Chinese Communist Party seeks to rewrite international norms and
terminology to serve its own political narrative. They deny Taiwan's
voice on the world stage, not because Taiwan lacks legitimacy but
because its thriving democracy stands as a powerful example to the
CCP's authoritarian model.
This amendment ensures that the United States will not stand idly by.
It affirms our commitment to actively push back against Beijing's
manipulative influence in global institutions. It tells our allies and
our adversaries that the United States will not legitimize falsehoods
about Taiwan's status or sovereignty.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2416, the Taiwan International
Solidarity Act.
Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague, Representative
Connolly, for his work in developing this bill. As has been said on
this floor earlier, we know that he can't be with us today, and we send
our best wishes and our prayers to him and his family as he continues
his courageous battle with cancer.
Representative Connolly is among the hardest working Members of
Congress and the most dedicated public servants in the United States.
He is as tough as they come, and I know he is going to keep fighting.
Our thoughts and prayers are truly with him.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support this bipartisan measure, which
will strengthen U.S.-Taiwan ties, showcase our support for Taiwan, and
help counter Beijing's coercive influence around the world.
U.S. policy toward Taiwan remains consistent across administrations
and guided by the Taiwan Relations Act. What has changed, though, is
Beijing's increasingly aggressive international campaign to exclude
Taiwan from the international community through intimidation, coercion,
and distortion of established and well-accepted norms.
To be clear, there is no justification in the U.N. General Assembly
Resolution 2758 for Taiwan's continued exclusion from international
bodies. The resolution only established the Government of the PRC as a
representative for China at the U.N. It did nothing to define or
determine a role for Taiwan.
This bill codifies what has long been the United States' position;
that is, to oppose Beijing's actions to misinterpret and distort U.N.
Resolution 2758 and enable the United States to empower our partners to
resist Beijing's overtures to reduce or sever relations with Taiwan.
Taiwan is a friend, a vibrant democracy, and a force for good in the
world. In this Congress, on a bipartisan basis, we will continue to
push for its inclusion in global dialogue.
Mr. Speaker, by reinforcing the United States' opposition to
Beijing's misinterpretation of U.N. General Assembly Resolution 2758,
this bill sends a clear signal that the United States will not waiver
and that we will stand up for our friends when they are bullied.
Our partners should be able to rely on U.S. support in the face of
Beijing's coercion, especially its efforts to maliciously exclude the
interests of Taiwan's 24 million people in international organizations.
Taiwan is a vibrant democracy that contributes to the global
community, and it deserves to participate in fostering peace and
cooperation.
Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this
bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, Taiwan is not just a friend. Taiwan is a self-governing
democracy, a critical economic partner, and a responsible global
stakeholder. It deserves to be seen and heard and not erased or
silenced.
When the United States shows leadership, we know that others follow.
We must lead now before the Chinese Communist Party permanently
rewrites international norms.
I thank Mr. Connolly for his work on this piece of legislation. I
miss seeing my friend here. As much as we have differences on many
things--and we have had many intense arguments back and forth--I
wouldn't want to argue with anybody else. I miss seeing him here.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the bipartisan Taiwan
International Solidarity Act, to stand up for Taiwan's participation in
international organizations against the backdrop of an emboldened and
increasingly aggressive People's Republic of China (PRC). I thank
Congresswoman Kim for her support for this bill. Our legislation
responds to Beijing's persistent aggression by strengthening the TAIPEI
Act of 2019, to clarify that United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
Resolution 2758 does not preclude the United States from using its
voice, vote, and influence to resist the PRC's reckless campaign
against Taiwan's rightful place on the world stage.
The bipartisan Taiwan International Solidarity Act amends the TAIPEI
Act of 2019, which passed by unanimous bipartisan support in a vote of
415-0. The Taiwan International Solidarity Act instructs the United
States to use its voice, vote, and influence to resist Beijing's
efforts to distort the decisions, language, policies, or procedures of
international organizations regarding Taiwan. It encourages the United
States to work with allies and partners to oppose the PRC's efforts to
undermine Taiwan's diplomatic relationships and partnerships globally.
It expands reporting requirements to include information relating to
any prior or ongoing attempts by the PRC to undermine Taiwan's
participation in international organizations as well as its critical
ties and relationships with other countries.
Over the past decade, the PRC has successfully weaponized a distorted
interpretation of UNGA Resolution 2758 which recognizes the PRC as
China's representative to that body in 1971.
It is no secret that the PRC has leveraged its growing influence in
the United Nations and international organizations to prevent Taiwan's
meaningful participation in international forums and silence Taiwan's
technical and scientific expertise. Delegates from Taiwan attended the
World Health Assembly as non-voting observers from 2009 to 2016, but in
2016 the PRC successfully bullied enough member states to rescind that
invitation. The denial of Taiwan's participation at the International
Civil Aviation
[[Page H1838]]
Organization poses a direct threat to aviation safety. Without member
status at Interpol, Taiwan is denied access to crucial information that
can be used to fight international criminal activity.
We face unprecedented health and security threats here in the United
States and abroad and Taiwan's distinct capabilities, public health
expertise, democratic governance, and advanced technology underscore
the need for this essential legislation.
The PRC has made its malign intentions crystal clear; they have made
ludicrous claims over the entire South China Sea. They have engaged in
or threatened kinetic activity on the Indian border, Vietnamese border,
and of course the Taiwan Strait. They have also recently increased
their large-scale drills in the waters and airspace around Taiwan
threatening peace and stability in Taiwan and in the surrounding
region.
Any decision by the PRC to intimidate, bully, and exclude Taiwan will
not be condoned or tolerated by the United States or the United States
Congress. The United States, in spirit of the Taiwan Relations Act,
must continue to reject any unilateral aggression against Taiwan,
including within international organizations and bodies. I urge my
colleagues to support this legislation.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mast) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, H.R. 2416.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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