US Senate resolution supports Taiwan

On Friday, 1 August 1997, U.S. Senators Robert Torricelli (D-NJ) and Sam D. Brownback (R-KS) introduced a Resolution in the U.S. Senate in support of Taiwan as a free and democratic country. We urge our readers to write their Senators to endorse and cosponsor this Resolution.

In the United States Senate, July 31st, 1997 Mr. TORRICELLI (for himself and Mr. BROWNBACK) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Expressing the sense of the Senate that the transfer of Hong Kong to the People's Republic of China does not alter the current or future status of Taiwan as a free and democratic country.

Whereas Hong Kong was acquired by the British in 1898 and leased from China for 99 years;

Whereas the treaty through which the Hong Kong territory was leased from China expires on July 1, 1997, at which time Hong Kong reverted to China;

Whereas no treaties exist between the People's Republic of China and Taiwan which determine the future status of Taiwan and, unlike Hong Kong, Taiwan has been de facto independent since 1949;

Whereas the People's Republic of China attempts to apply to Taiwan the formula commonly known as "one country, two systems" in an effort to annex Taiwan to China;

Whereas the People's Republic of China has refused to renounce the use of force against Taiwan, and held military exercises in the Taiwan Strait in March 1996 in an attempt to intimidate the people of Taiwan in their first presidential elections; and

Whereas the Taiwan Relations Act states that "[i]t is the policy of the United States to consider any effort to determine the future of Taiwan by other than peaceful means, including by boycotts or embargoes, a threat to the peace and security of the Western Pacific area and of grave concern to the United States":

Now, therefore, be it Resolved That it is the sense of the Senate that--

1. the transfer of Hong Kong to the People's Republic of China does not alter the current and future status of Taiwan;
2. the future of Taiwan should be determined by peaceful means through a democratic process in accordance with the principle of self-determination, as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations; and
3. the United States should assist in the defense of Taiwan in case of threats or military attack by the People's Republic of China against Taiwan.