HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE PASSES “WHO FOR TAIWAN” BILL
On September 28, 2017, the House Foreign Affairs Committee unanimously passed H.R. 3320, “to direct the Secretary of State to develop a strategy to regain observer status for Taiwan in the World Health Organization, and for other purposes.”
The bill currently enjoys the co-sponsorship of 14 Representatives. To co-sponsor, please contact Hunter Strupp in. Rep.Yoho’s office at Hunter.Strupp@mail.house.gov
HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE PASSES TAIWAN TRAVEL ACT
On October 12, 2017, the House Foreign Affairs Committee unanimously passed the Taiwan Travel Act (HR535) clearing the way for the bill to go to the floor of the House for a vote.
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives Steve Chabot (R-OH), Brad Sherman (D-CA), and chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA) introduced the Taiwan Travel Act on January 13, 2017. It currently enjoys the co-sponsorship of 58 Representatives.
The binding Taiwan Travel Act legislation states that Congress finds that: “Since the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act, relations between the United States and Taiwan have suffered from a lack of communication due to the self-imposed restrictions that the United States maintains on high-level visits with Taiwan.” It concludes that: “the United States Government should encourage visits between the United States and Taiwan at all levels.”
US OFFICIALS CHECK TAIWAN SHIP WITH EYE ON N. KOREA
Illustrating the close (unofficial) ties and strategic relationship between the U.S. and Taiwan, military officials allegedly recently inspected the Taiwan’s Navy’s fast combat support ship “Panshi” in the event of combat with North Korea.
The Apple Daily reported that a small contingent of US military officials boarded the “Panshi” to inspect its facilities and make inquiries regarding its capacity for surgical operations.
The report also indicated that the US might be interested in the Panshi due to the capability of the ship to accommodate a Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion — the largest and heaviest helicopter in the US military — on each of its decks.
CHINA LEADER XI JINPING BULLIES TAIWAN DURING NATIONAL CONGRESS
Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated on October 18, at the opening of the 19th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, that China will defend its sovereignty and the completeness of its territories, and will not tolerate a repeat of history where the country was broken up.
“We have sufficient abilities to thwart any form of Taiwan independence attempts,” said Mr Xi at the opening of the China Communist Party’s five-yearly national congress.
In response to Mr Xi’s comments, Taiwan’s government said it was “absolutely” the right of Taiwan’s 23 million people to decide their future…
