《台灣盟邦國際保障與強化倡議》提出

【Comment】

The Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act has not yet been uploaded to the Congress webpage.  Maybe we have to wait till next week.

I am confused about the US's calling us Taiwan, saying that Taiwan not enjoy the sovereignty as a nation, on one hand, while concerning the breaking of the diplomatic tie of Taiwan with some countries on the other hand.

Gardner did not find out the incompatibility of “to support Taiwan’s diplomatic recognition or strengthening unofficial ties with Taiwan.”  Or, maybe he intended to do so with the wording “or”?

Gardner, Markey, Rubio, Menendez Introduce Legislation to Defend Taiwan

https://www.gardner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/gardner-markey-rubio-menendez-introduce-legislation-to-defend-taiwan

Washington, DC – Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO), Ed Markey (D-MA), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) introduced the Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act on Monday. This legislation is intended to strengthen Taiwan’s standing around the world and comes in response to several nations breaking official diplomatic ties with Taiwan, due to Chinese pressure and bullying tactics. 

The TAIPEI Act requires a U.S. strategy to engage with governments around the world to support Taiwan’s diplomatic recognition or strengthening unofficial ties with Taiwan.  Additionally, it authorizes the State Department to downgrade U.S. relations with any government that takes adverse actions with regard to Taiwan, and authorizes the State Department to suspend or alter U.S. foreign assistance, including foreign military financing, to governments that take adverse actions with regard to Taiwan.

“The United States will use every tool to support Taiwan’s standing on the international stage,” said Senator Gardner.  “This bipartisan legislation demands a whole-of-government approach to stand up to China’s bullying tactics against Taiwan, and will send a strong message to those nations considering siding with China over Taiwan that there will be consequences for such actions.”

“Beijing is promising paydays to governments to entice them to cut diplomatic relations with Taiwan,” said Senator Markey.  “Without a coherent U.S. strategy to push back, Taiwan’s official partners might drop from 17 to zero. We must stand up for our friends in Taiwan.”

“This important legislation reaffirms our commitment to the U.S.-Taiwan relationship and allows for the State Department to take diplomatic action against governments that alter diplomatic relations with Taiwan in favor of China,” said Senator Rubio.  “China’s insidious agenda to isolate Taiwan cannot go unanswered, and I call on my colleagues to quickly pass this bill.”

“As Taiwan’s closest international partner, the United States must not waiver on our enduring commitment to the wellbeing of the people of Taiwan, to their security through diplomacy, and to their ability to defend and protect their future,” said Senator Menendez.  “As China continues its quest for dominance through predatory diplomatic and economic practices, this new legislation serves as a recommitment by the United States Congress to a comprehensive, durable and mutually beneficial US-Taiwan relationship and partnership and affirmation of Taiwan’s place in the international community.  The Trump administration should join our effort to send a clear message to those being bullied by China’s expansionist agenda that the United States continues to be a reliable and long term partner for our allies and our neighbors.”

美國議員提出《台北法案》助台抵抗中國霸淩    VOA 20180901

在台北近來連續被北京奪去幾個邦交國後，四名跨黨派的美國重量級參議員這個星期提出一個跨黨派法案，強化台灣在國際舞台的地位並抵抗中國對台灣的霸淩。

美國參議院外交委員會亞太小組委員會主席加德納(Cory Gadner, R-CO)、亞太小組委員會民主黨資深成員馬基(Ed Markey, D-MA)、西半球事務小組委員會主席魯比奧(Marco Rubio, R-FL)以及外委會民主黨資深稱員梅南德斯(Bob Menendez, D-NJ)提出的法案，名為《台灣盟邦國際保障與強化倡議》(Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative Act, “TAIPEI” Act)，英文縮寫簡稱為《台北法案》。

這個法案要求美國研擬一個與全世界政府接觸的策略，以支持他們對台灣的外交承認或加強與台灣的非正式關係。此外，法案授權國務院“降級”美國與任何對台灣採取不利行動的政府之間的關係，並授權國務院“暫停或改變”美國提供給這些對台灣採取不利行動的外國政府的援助，包括軍事財政援助。

共和黨參議員加德納在星期三發出的聲明中表示，美國將“運用所有工具支持台灣在國際舞台的地位”，並強調這個不分黨派的法案將要求美國“採取政府一盤棋的做法抵抗中國對台灣的霸淩”，並對那些“正在考慮從台灣轉向中國靠攏的國家發出強烈資訊，那就是這麼做是會有後果的。”

民主黨參議員馬基則表示，北京正在對那些政府“做出金錢承諾”以誘使他們與台灣切斷外交關係，如果沒有一個前後一致的美國策略來頂回，台灣的邦交夥伴“可能從17個降到零”，因此“我們必須為我們的台灣朋友挺身而出。”

共和黨參議員魯比奧指出，這個法案重申美國對美台關係的承諾，讓美國國務院“得以對那些為了中國而改變與台灣外交關係的政府採取外交行動。”他說，希望這個法案能儘快通過，因為“中國孤立台灣的陰險計畫不能不給予理會。

民主黨參議員梅南德斯也強調，台灣是美國最緊密的國際夥伴，美國對台灣人民持久的承諾不能動搖，包括他們的福祉、外交安全、防衛和保障未來前途的能力。

梅南德斯說，在中國持續以掠奪性外交及經濟作為追求霸權的時刻，這個法案代表美國國會對維持一個全面、持久及互利的美台關係的承諾，也確認美國對支持台灣國際社會地位的夥伴關係。他呼籲特朗普政府加入這個努力，對那些受到中國擴張行為霸淩的人發出明確信號，讓他們知道對盟友及鄰國來說，美國仍將是一個可靠的長期夥伴。

在薩爾瓦多步多明尼加後塵與台灣斷交而與中國建交後，參議員魯比奧即表示將終止對薩爾瓦多的經濟援助，他也對瓜地馬拉發出警告，希望瓜地馬拉不要做出同樣行動，否則將面臨與薩爾瓦多一樣的後果。