漸進卻堅實的〈台北法案〉【部分修正】

漸進卻堅實的〈台北法案〉【部分修正】

趕在〈舊金山合約〉紀念日前，美國跨黨派國會議員共同提出「旨在表達美國支持台灣在世界各地外交同盟」的〈2018年台北法案〉[1]。該法案賦予國務院定期報告的義務外，並授權美國得以減少對意圖降低與台灣官方或非官方關係的國家之外交駐存與援助為手段，可謂相當積極。最新消息是美國召回三國使節。

Few days before the 67th anniversary of the conclusion of the Treaty of Peace with Japan, US Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO), Edward Markey (D-MA), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Robert Menendez (D - NJ) introduced the ‘‘Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act of 2018.’’ 

The Act not only asked the Department of State or a designee of the Secretary to submit regular report, but also may ask supplement or reduce the appropriate diplomatic presence in the United States of countries; or may consider the expansion, termination, or reduction of United States foreign assistance to countries identified as having taken, or anticipating, actions to alter or downgrade official or unofficial ties with Taiwan or otherwise downgrade relations.  The latest move of DoS is the calling back the U.S. Chiefs of Mission to the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, and Panama for consultations on September 7, 2018.

該法案藏有玄機：它多次採用外交同盟、台灣同盟、國際同盟等語—在「外交」範圍外，加入「同盟」的軍事意涵，來形容台灣與世界的關係。其次，它援引〈台灣關係法〉所設定的政策基礎，凸顯〈台灣關係法〉對台灣事務享有的至高地位。

The act seems to have obscure parts: the terms it uses such as diplomatic alliances, Taiwan Allies, international alliances, suggest the diplomatic relationships that Taiwan have to the world is not only diplomatic but also has military significance; moreover, the fact that the act quotes Taiwan Relations Act twice demonstrates TRA enjoys the supreme position of the US in dealing with Taiwan.

易讓人忽略與尚不了解的是：明明這些外交關係是「中華民國」（中國政府）的業績，所以才有中國一建交一斷交的零和實踐。但國際法理的零和原則，卻在〈台北法案〉中被以「台灣＝中華民國」的方式，煮成一鍋湯。

However, there is something yet to be cleared.  The diplomatic tie which Taiwan has with other countries now is under the name of the Republic of China, a government of China.  Those countries do have diplomatic relations with “China” under the principle of “one country, one legitimate government” under the international law.  How could the diplomatic ties of ROC become Taiwan's?  The Taipei Act of 2018 defines the Republic of China is the identical matter of Taiwan.

過去也有前例：1949年以前，在外交文件僅有「福爾摩沙與澎湖」；1949-1954年間，逐漸轉變為加入台灣並和「福爾摩沙與澎湖」相提並論；1954年〈共同防禦條約〉生效後，美國改以台灣來指涉福爾摩沙與澎湖—台灣即為福爾摩沙與澎湖，但不包括金馬。

There was a precedent of the terminology evolution.  “Formosa and the Pescadores” could be read in the diplomatic documents before 1949.  The terminology was evolving during 1949-1954 by mixing Taiwan, and “Formosa and the Pescadores” at the same time.  The term became Taiwan and Taiwan only, when and after the Sino-US Mutual Security Treaty was signed.  Now Taiwan replaces the former “Formosa and the Pescadores” but excludes Kinmen and Matsu.

此種漸進式轉變，似乎正在重現—兩個用了相同「中華民國」之名的當局，在1950年有個無法逆轉的法理大斷裂。

The evolution seems reappear – The same term ROC before and after 1950 are in fact refers to different entities.  There exists a absolute legal discontinuity in 1950.

〈台灣關係法〉第十五條有「台灣一詞將視情況需要，包括台灣及澎湖列島，這些島上的人民…，1979年1月1日以前美國承認為中華民國的台灣治理當局，以及任何接替的治理當局。」換言之，美國在1979年已埋下伏筆：1950年後再生的ROC，範圍只限定在台澎的所謂「中華民國」、李前總統的「中華民國在台灣」或蔡總統的「中華民國台灣」，絕非馬口中1912年建立並持續至今的那個中國當局。

The article 15 of the Taiwan Relations Act stipulates “the term ‘Taiwan’ includes, as the context may require, the islands of Taiwan and the Pescadores, the people on those islands, corporations and other entities and associations created or organized under the laws applied on those islands, and the governing authorities on Taiwan recognized by the United States as the Republic of China prior to January 1, 1979, and any successor governing authorities (including political subdivisions, agencies, and instrumentalities thereof).”  In another word, the US considered thoroughly in 1979.  The re-born ROC after 1950 is limited to Formosa and the Pescadores.  The fact implies that no matter what the terms are: the ROC, “ROC on Taiwan” as former President Lee specified, “Taiwan, ROC” as President Tsai indicated, the ROC after 1950 is not the identical and continuous entity of the ROC from 1912 which the former President Ma jabbered.

近來美國國會通過〈台灣旅行法〉、〈國防授權法〉，加上提案中的〈台北法案〉、〈亞洲再保證倡議法〉、〈台灣防衛評估委員會法〉、〈台灣國際參與法案〉等，是〈台灣關係法〉生效40年後，美國對台灣關切的大爆發。它由美中戰略結構改變所驅動，並非川普的意志力可竟其功。

Besides the passing of the Taiwan Travel Act, the Defense Authorization Act, the US congressperson proposed the Taipei Act, the Asian Reassurance Initiative Act, the Taiwan International Participation Act, the Taiwan Defense Review Commission Act.  These moves signified the US explosive concerns about the welfare of Taiwan since the enactment of Taiwan Relations Act in 1979.  This is definitely driven by strategic shift, not the President Trump could make it in person.

世界各國已給了中國時間，中國卻證明自己：無意願意遵守國際秩序。前述蜂擁而出的法案，是對戰略結構改變的堅實回應。

The strategic shift comes from the simple fact that China proved that she declines to honor the rules based international order.  The above US congressional Acts are the response.

【姊妹文章】

台北法案進行式

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[1]  https://hoonting.blogspot.com/2018/09/the-taiwan-allies-international.html#more