III 

109TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. CON. RES. 106 

Expressing the sense of Congress regarding high level visits to the United 

States by democratically elected officials of Taiwan. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

JUNE 27, 2006 

Mr. JOHNSON (for himself and Mr. ALLEN) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations 

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 

Expressing the sense of Congress regarding high level visits 

to the United States by democratically elected officials 

of Taiwan. 

Whereas, for over half a century, a close relationship has existed between the United States and Taiwan, which has 

been of enormous political, economic, cultural, and strategic advantage to both countries; 

Whereas Taiwan is one of the strongest democratic allies of 

the United States in the Asia-Pacific region; 

Whereas it is United States policy to support and strengthen 

democracy around the world; 

Whereas during the late 1980s and early 1990s, Taiwan 

made a remarkable transition to a full-fledged democracy 

with a vibrant economy and a vigorous multi-party polit-
2 

•SCON 106 IS 

ical system that respects human rights and the rule of 

law; 

Whereas President George W. Bush, in a November 2005 

speech in Kyoto, Japan, lauded the Government of Taiwan for its democratic achievements; 

Whereas, in spite of its praise for democracy in Taiwan, the 

United States Government continues to adhere to guidelines from the 1970s that bar the President, Vice President, Premier, Foreign Minister, and Defense Minister of 

Taiwan from coming to Washington, D.C.; 

Whereas the United States Government has barred these 

high-level officials from visiting Washington, D.C., while 

allowing the unelected leaders of the People’s Republic of 

China to routinely visit Washington, D.C., and welcoming 

them to the White House; 

Whereas these self-imposed restrictions lead to a lack of direct contact and communication with the democratically 

elected leaders of Taiwan and deprive the President, Congress, and the American public of the opportunity to engage in a direct dialogue regarding developments in the 

Asia-Pacific region and key elements of the relationship 

between the United States and Taiwan; 

Whereas, in consideration of the major economic, security, 

and political interests shared by the United States and 

Taiwan, it is to the benefit of the United States for 

United States officials to meet with and communicate directly with the democratically elected leaders of Taiwan; 

Whereas, since the Taiwan Strait is one of the flashpoints in 

the world, it is important that United States policymakers directly communicate with the leaders of Taiwan; 

and 
3 

•SCON 106 IS 

Whereas, Section 221 of the Immigration and Nationality 

Technical Corrections Act of 1994 (8 U.S.C. 1101 note) 

provides that the President or other high-level officials of 

Taiwan may visit the United States, including Washington D.C., at any time to discuss a variety of important 

issues: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 

2 concurring), That it is the Sense of Congress that— 

3 (1) restrictions on visits to the United States by 

4 high-level elected and appointed officials of Taiwan, 

5 including the democratically-elected President of 

6 Taiwan, should be lifted; 

7 (2) the United States should allow direct high8 level exchanges at the Cabinet level, in order to 

9 strengthen a policy dialogue with the Government of 

10 Taiwan; and 

11 (3) it is in the interest of the United States to 

12 strengthen links between the United States and the 

13 democratically-elected Government of Taiwan and 

14 demonstrate stronger support for democracy in the 

15 Asia-Pacific region. 

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