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Rep. Leach Says U.S. Remains Committed to Taiwan Relations Act

Even though there should be no doubt that the U.S. Congress and the Bush administration stand together in a common determination to fulfill U.S. obligations under the Taiwan Relations Act, "there is nothing to be gained by steps toward independence if they precipitate a catastrophic and unwinnable conflict between the mainland and island," says Representative Jim Leach.

Leach, a Republican from Iowa and the chairman of the House International Relations Committee's Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, said at an April 21 hearing: "The people of Taiwan can count on the United States to maintain a steady and constructive policy toward peace in East Asia and the Taiwan Strait area."

Under the TRA, which was enacted 25 years ago on April 11, the United States is committed to defending Taiwan against outside aggression. "[W]e make it clear to China that the U.S. is steadfastly committed to ensuring that the status of Taiwan not be altered by the use of force," Leach said.

Leach acknowledged that, in the last quarter century, Taiwan has developed into "a vibrant multiparty democracy." But he cautioned Taiwan's leadership: "Political pride must not subsume the necessity of rational restraint."

"While clarity of national identity is psychologically attractive, there is clearly greater security for the Taiwanese people in political ambiguity," Leach said.

Leach also urged Beijing to emphasize the "soft power" of culture and economics in its relations with Taipei. "Granting scholarships, for instance, to Taiwanese students is likely to yield far greater dividends than misdirected investment in threatening missile systems," he said.

Representative James A. Leach
Chairman, Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific
Hearing on the Taiwan Relations Act: the Next Twenty-Five Years
[Washington, D.C.]
April 21, 2004

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This month marks the 25th Anniversary of the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) and as you pointed out, it is appropriate to acknowledge the leadership of Lester Wolf, who helped shape the legislation and who has subsequently become the world's leading historian on the Act. As one who was a proponent of the Act, I am proud of a small provision I authored relating to human rights and democratization. Impressively, following the leadership of Sun Yat-sen, Taiwan has developed over the past 25 years an extraordinary political democracy and, coupled with it, an opportunity oriented economy.

As demonstrated again last month by its closely contested presidential election, Taiwan is now a vibrant multiparty democracy. The miracle of Taiwan's peaceful democratic transition is of great significance not only to the 23 million citizens of Taiwan, but also to the billion residents of the Chinese mainland who have yet to enjoy the political freedoms many Taiwanese now take for granted.

The government and citizens of the United States have an enormous vested interest in peaceful relations between Taipei and Beijing. All Americans strongly identify with Taiwan's democratic journey and we join in celebrating the fact that the people of Taiwan now enjoy such a full measure of human freedom. More broadly, we are acutely conscious that the 20th century was the bloodiest century in world history. It witnessed wars related to traditional ethnic hatreds and desire for conquest. It also witnessed wars related to contrasting views of human nature and social organization. Hence it is in the vital interests of all parties to recognize that caution should be the watchword. Political pride must not subsume the necessity of rational restraint. Peaceful solutions to political differences are the only reasonable framework of future discourse between the mainland and the people of Taiwan.

In an American historical context there is an assumption that the precepts of self-determination and independence are interlinked. For the sake of peace and security for Taiwan and the broader Asia-Pacific region, there would appear to be no credible option except to recognize that these precepts are juxtaposed on one place on the planet - Taiwan. Taiwan can have de facto self-determination - meaning the ability of a people to determine their own fate through democratic means - only if it does not attempt to be recognized with de jure sovereignty by the international community.

While clarity of national identity is psychologically attractive, there is clearly greater security for the Taiwanese people in political ambiguity. There is nothing to be gained by steps toward independence if they precipitate a catastrophic and unwinnable conflict between the mainland and island.

Hence, as we make it clear to China that the U.S. is steadfastly committed to ensuring that the status of Taiwan not be altered by the use of force, we also have an obligation not to entice Taiwan through ill-chosen rhetoric of "ours" or "theirs" into a sovereignty clash with China. Substantial Taiwanese self-determination is clearly possible only if sovereign nationalist identity is not loudly trumpeted.

Together with our historic "One China" policy, the Taiwan Relations Act has made an enduring contribution to ensuring peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and provides a sturdy framework to help ensure Taiwan's security. From a Congressional perspective, the U.S. must continue to oppose any attempt by either side to unilaterally change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. Likewise, both sides should refrain from actions or statements that increase tension or make dialogue more difficult to achieve.

I am a firm believer in the power of people-to-people and cultural relations to bring societies together in world affairs. Rather than setting deadlines for unification, seeking to isolate Taiwan or continuing a counterproductive military buildup, Beijing would be well-advised to emphasize the "soft power" of culture and economics in its relations with Taipei. Granting scholarships, for instance, to Taiwanese students is likely to yield far greater dividends than misdirected investment in threatening missile systems. Coupled with progressive political evolution in Beijing, the increasing cultural and economic intertwining of China and Taiwan is the most credible basis for evolving, mutually acceptable accommodations.

In any regard, there should be no doubt that Congress stands together with the Administration in a common determination to fulfill U.S. obligations under the TRA. As we celebrate this Act and with it the strong bonds of friendship between the United States and Taiwan, the people of Taiwan can count on the United States to maintain a steady and constructive policy toward peace in East Asia and the Taiwan Strait area.