IV 

116TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 117 

Expressing the sense of Congress that the United States should resume 

normal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, negotiate a bilateral free trade 

agreement with Taiwan, and support Taiwan’s membership in international organizations. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 

Mr. TIFFANY submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined 

by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall 

within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 

Expressing the sense of Congress that the United States 

should resume normal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, 

negotiate a bilateral free trade agreement with Taiwan, 

and support Taiwan’s membership in international organizations. 

Whereas the people of Taiwan have established a free, open, 

pluralistic, and democratic society; 

Whereas the people of Taiwan have conducted 7 democratic 

Presidential elections yielding 3 peaceful transfers of administration, successive democratic elections for members 

of the national legislature, multiple nationwide referenda, 

and numerous local elections; 


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•HCON 117 IH 

Whereas Taiwan and its outlying islands have never been 

under the jurisdiction or control of the Communist regime in Beijing, which continues to illegitimately claim 

sovereignty over Taiwan and its people; 

Whereas Communist China has weaponized the so-called 

‘‘One China Policy’’ to block Taiwan’s membership and 

full participation in international organizations and 

events ranging from the United Nations and the World 

Health Organization to the Olympic Games; 

Whereas the so-called ‘‘One China Policy’’ is obsolete, does 

not serve the people of Taiwan or the United States, and 

fails to reflect the obvious reality that Taiwan has been 

a sovereign and independent country for over 70 years; 

Whereas Taiwan maintains diplomatic, cultural, and economic links with several countries around the world, demonstrating its clear independence from the People’s Republic of China; 

Whereas Taiwan and the United States maintained normal 

diplomatic relations and a Mutual Defense Treaty until 

President Carter abruptly abandoned both without the 

approval of Congress in 1979; 

Whereas Congress responded by adopting the landmark, bipartisan Taiwan Relations Act, codifying in law the basis 

for continued friendly relations between the people of the 

United States and Taiwan; 

Whereas former President Reagan strengthened ties with 

Taiwan by issuing the ‘‘Six Assurances’’, noting that the 

United States would not formally recognize Communist 

Chinese sovereignty over Taiwan; 


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•HCON 117 IH 

Whereas former President Clinton declared ‘‘that the issues 

between Beijing and Taiwan must be resolved peacefully 

and with the assent of the people of Taiwan’’; 

Whereas President Trump has approved the sale of defense 

articles to Taiwan and signed bipartisan legislation allowing for expanded high-level exchanges and cooperation 

between Taiwanese and American officials; and 

Whereas Taiwan remains a steadfast ally of the United 

States and a responsible and conscientious member of the 

international community: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 

2 concurring), That— 

3 (1) the United States commends the people of 

4 Taiwan for their commitment to democracy, civil lib5 erties, and human rights; and 

6 (2) it is the sense of Congress that— 

7 (A) the President should abandon the anti8 quated ‘‘One China Policy’’ in favor of a policy 

9 that recognizes Taiwan as an independent coun10 try not governed by or included within the terri11 tory of the People’s Republic of China; 

12 (B) the President should recognize the le13 gitimacy of the democratically elected National 

14 Government in Taipei, normalize diplomatic re15 lations between our two nations, appoint a 

16 United States ambassador to Taiwan, and reVerDate Sep 11 2014 22:59 Sep 17, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HC117.IH HC117

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•HCON 117 IH 

1 ceive a Taiwanese ambassador to the United 

2 States; 

3 (C) the President should rescind arbitrary 

4 agency guidelines that restrict normal commu5 nication and interaction between United States 

6 and Taiwanese officials; 

7 (D) the United States Trade Representa8 tive should initiate formal negotiations with 

9 Taiwan on the establishment of a United 

10 States-Taiwan Free Trade Agreement; and 

11 (E) the President, the Permanent Rep12 resentative of the United States to the United 

13 Nations, and other relevant United States offi14 cials should take steps to advocate for Taiwan’s 

15 full membership in the United Nations and 

16 other international organizations in which the 

17 United States is a member. 

Æ 


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