104TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. CON. RES. 212
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the Congress endorses the adoption by
the European Parliament on July 18, 1996, of a resolu-
tion supporting the Republic of China on Taiwan’s efforts
at joining the community of nations, which is substantially
as follows:
•HCON 212 EH
‘‘The European Parliament,
—having regard to Article J.7 of the Treaty on Euro-
pean Union,
‘‘(A) satisfied with the current state of Tai-
wan’s democracy and Taiwan’s respect for the prin-
ciples of justice, human rights and fundamental free-
dom;
‘‘(B) welcoming the fact that the elections in
Taiwan were conducted democratically and peace-
fully despite the overt aggression and provocation by
the People’s Republic of China;
‘‘(C) having regard to Taiwan’s wish to partici-
pate in international aid to developing countries;
‘‘(D) having regard to the significance of devel-
opments in the political situation in Taiwan for the
whole of East Asia at a geopolitical and economic
level and in terms of a policy of stability, security
and peace in the Western Pacific region;
‘‘(E) welcoming the attitude of reconciliation
displayed by President Lee Tang-hui towards the
People’s Republic of China and looking forward to
a dialogue spanning both sides of the Taiwan
Straits;
‘‘(F) convinced that the people of Taiwan ought
to be better represented in international organiza-
•HCON 212 EH
tions than they are at present, which would benefit
both Taiwan and the whole of the international com-
munity;
‘‘(G) whereas neither the European Union nor
any of its Member States have diplomatic relations
with the Government of Taiwan, recognizing only
the People’s Republic of China;
‘‘(H) whereas Taiwan is very important to the
European Union and its Member States as a trade
partner;
‘‘(I) whereas it is important for the European
Union and its Member States to develop their rela-
tions with the governments of both the People’s Re-
public of China and Taiwan in an amicable and con-
structive spirit.
‘‘(J) urging the governments of the People’s
Republic of China and Taiwan to intensify their co-
operation;
‘‘(K) stressing that participation by Taiwan in
certain international organizations can assist with
finding common ground between China and Taiwan
and facilitate reconciliation between the two sides;
‘‘(L) regretting the fact that Taiwan at present
is prevented from making a full contribution to the
United Nations and its agencies, and stressing that,
•HCON 212 EH
for the efficiency of the United Nations, Taiwan’s
participation would be desirable and valuable;
‘‘1. Urges:
‘‘(a) the Council and Member States to support
Taiwan’s attempts to secure better representation
than it currently enjoys in international organiza-
tions in the fields of human and labour rights, eco-
nomic affairs, the environment and development
cooperation . . .;
‘‘(b) the Council and Member States to ask the
United Nations to investigate the possibility of set-
ting up a United Nations working group to study
the scope for Taiwan to participate in the activities
of bodies answerable to the United Nations General
Assembly;
‘‘(c) the Council and Member States to encour-
age the governments of the People’s Republic of
China and Taiwan to intensify their cooperation in
a constructive and peaceful spirit;
‘‘(d) the Council to urge the Commission to
adopt measures with a view to opening a European
Union information office in Taipei;
•HCON 212 EH
‘‘2. Instructs its President to forward this resolution
to the Council and to the Commission.’’.
Passed the House of Representatives September 24,
1996.
Attest:
Clerk.