IV 114th CONGRESS 1st Session H. CON. RES. 88 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES October 28, 2015 Mr. Chabot submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Reaffirming the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances as the cornerstone of United States–Taiwan relations.

Whereas for more than 50 years, a close relationship has existed between the United States and Taiwan, which has been of major economic, cultural, and strategic advantage to both countries; Whereas over the past two decades, the people of Taiwan have worked hard to establish a vibrant and pluralistic democracy in their country and conducted 5 successful Presidential elections, successive elections for members of their national legislature, numerous local elections, and 2 national referendums; Whereas the United States has vital security and strategic interests in the Taiwan Strait, with United States troops stationed in countries within the Taiwan Strait region; Whereas April 10, 2015, marked the 36th anniversary of the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act ( Public Law 96–8 ), codifying into law the basis for continued commercial, cultural, and other relations between the United States and Taiwan; Whereas the Taiwan Relations Act has been instrumental in maintaining peace, security, and stability in the Taiwan Strait since its enactment in 1979; Whereas when the Taiwan Relations Act was enacted, it affirmed that the United States decision to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China was based on the expectation that the future of Taiwan would be determined by peaceful means; Whereas the Taiwan Relations Act declares that peace and stability in the area are in the political, security, and economic interests of the United States, and are matters of international concern; Whereas the Taiwan Relations Act states that it is the policy of the United States to provide Taiwan with arms of a defensive character to maintain the capacity to resist any resort to force or other forms of coercion that would jeopardize the security, or the social or economic system, of the people on Taiwan; Whereas the Taiwan Relations Act also states that it is the policy of the United States to preserve and promote extensive, close, and friendly commercial, cultural and other relations between the people on Taiwan, as well as the people on the China mainland ; Whereas in 1982, President Ronald Reagan wanted to reinforce United States support for Taiwan and therefore issued the Six Assurances; and Whereas the Six Assurances are guidelines to conduct relations between the United States and Taiwan and stipulate that the United States would not— (1) set a date for termination of arms sales to Taiwan; (2) alter the terms of the Taiwan Relations Act; (3) consult with China in advance before making decisions about United States arms sales to Taiwan; (4) mediate between Taiwan and China; (5) alter its position about the sovereignty of Taiwan which was, that the question was one to be decided peacefully by the Chinese themselves, and would not pressure Taiwan to enter into negotiations with China; and (6) formally recognize Chinese sovereignty over Taiwan: Now, therefore, be it

That it is the sense of Congress that the United States hereby affirm that the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances together form the cornerstone of United States relations with Taiwan.