This may be it, Obama's arms sale to Taiwan after Republicans from Reagan to 2 Bushes. Even GW Bush did do this stupid thing.
http://www.nasdaq.com/aspxcontent/N...00152.htm&&mypage=newsheadlines&title=UPDATE: US Congress Gives Taiwan
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UPDATE: US Congress Gives Taiwan "Unwavering Commitment"
(Adds China reax)
WASHINGTON (AFP)--The U.S. Congress Tuesday pledged "unwavering commitment" to ensuring Taiwan's security, defying protests from China that claims the island.
Congress reaffirmed its stance 30 years after the U.S. broke off relations with Taiwan, which recently has been reconciling with China but still counts on U.S. guarantees of protection.
The House of Representatives in a voice vote approved a resolution that pledged an "unwavering commitment" to the Taiwan Relations Act and called it a " cornerstone" of U.S. policy.
The 1979 law requires the U.S. to maintain the capability to defend Taiwan and to provide the island "arms of a defensive character."
Representative Shelley Berkley, the chief sponsor of the 30th anniversary bill, said the resolution sent an important signal as Taiwan "enters a new era of cross-Strait relations."
"Taiwan is an inspiring story of expanding freedom, a robust capitalist economy and a strong trading partner of the United States," Berkley, a member of President Barack Obama's Democratic Party, said on the House floor.
"We must do everything in our power to continue protecting it and ensuring its survival," she said.
Congress pushed through the Taiwan Relations Act when then president Jimmy Carter shifted U.S. recognition to Beijing from Taipei, where China's nationalists fled 30 years earlier after losing the civil war to the communists.
Taiwan's de facto embassy in the absence of diplomatic relations, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office, released a statement saying it " deeply appreciates the bipartisan and uniform support of the U.S. Congress."
The Chinese government called on the U.S. Wednesday to acknowledge that Taiwan is part of China, reacting to the U.S. pledge of support.
"Our position is consistent, we hope that the U.S. side can support...the one- China principle," Fan Liqing, spokeswoman of China's cabinet-level Taiwan Affairs Office, told journalists in a brief statement.
China last year cut off military exchanges with the U.S. in anger over the proposed $6.5 billion U.S. arms package to Taiwan.
Tensions have been easing since Taiwan last year elected President Ma Ying- jeou, who has focused on trade rather than confrontation with China.
But China has warned it will never compromise on its claims to Taiwan, which it believes is awaiting reunification, by force if necessary.
The Obama administration has called for a strong partnership with Beijing, saying it hopes to work on issues such as the global economic slowdown and climate change despite differences such as human rights concerns.
The two nations engaged in a naval showdown earlier this month. The U.S. said Chinese vessels harassed one of its surveillance ships, which Beijing said was engaged in illegal activities.
"This provocative action and many others like that should serve as a cause for concern when dealing with that nation that regularly violates human rights," said Republican Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart.
"That highlights the importance that the people of Taiwan know and that the world know that the U.S. Congress stands with a strong and proud democracy," he said.
But Republican Congressman Ed Royce, another co-sponsor of the resolution, voiced disappointment that the resolution didn't focus more on trade.
He called for movement on a long-mulled free-trade agreement with Taiwan, although he doubted there would be enthusiasm by Obama - who
http://www.nasdaq.com/aspxcontent/N...00152.htm&&mypage=newsheadlines&title=UPDATE: US Congress Gives Taiwan
Back to Headlines | Previous Story | Next Story | Print Version | ShareThis
Dow Jones
UPDATE: US Congress Gives Taiwan "Unwavering Commitment"
(Adds China reax)
WASHINGTON (AFP)--The U.S. Congress Tuesday pledged "unwavering commitment" to ensuring Taiwan's security, defying protests from China that claims the island.
Congress reaffirmed its stance 30 years after the U.S. broke off relations with Taiwan, which recently has been reconciling with China but still counts on U.S. guarantees of protection.
The House of Representatives in a voice vote approved a resolution that pledged an "unwavering commitment" to the Taiwan Relations Act and called it a " cornerstone" of U.S. policy.
The 1979 law requires the U.S. to maintain the capability to defend Taiwan and to provide the island "arms of a defensive character."
Representative Shelley Berkley, the chief sponsor of the 30th anniversary bill, said the resolution sent an important signal as Taiwan "enters a new era of cross-Strait relations."
"Taiwan is an inspiring story of expanding freedom, a robust capitalist economy and a strong trading partner of the United States," Berkley, a member of President Barack Obama's Democratic Party, said on the House floor.
"We must do everything in our power to continue protecting it and ensuring its survival," she said.
Congress pushed through the Taiwan Relations Act when then president Jimmy Carter shifted U.S. recognition to Beijing from Taipei, where China's nationalists fled 30 years earlier after losing the civil war to the communists.
Taiwan's de facto embassy in the absence of diplomatic relations, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office, released a statement saying it " deeply appreciates the bipartisan and uniform support of the U.S. Congress."
The Chinese government called on the U.S. Wednesday to acknowledge that Taiwan is part of China, reacting to the U.S. pledge of support.
"Our position is consistent, we hope that the U.S. side can support...the one- China principle," Fan Liqing, spokeswoman of China's cabinet-level Taiwan Affairs Office, told journalists in a brief statement.
China last year cut off military exchanges with the U.S. in anger over the proposed $6.5 billion U.S. arms package to Taiwan.
Tensions have been easing since Taiwan last year elected President Ma Ying- jeou, who has focused on trade rather than confrontation with China.
But China has warned it will never compromise on its claims to Taiwan, which it believes is awaiting reunification, by force if necessary.
The Obama administration has called for a strong partnership with Beijing, saying it hopes to work on issues such as the global economic slowdown and climate change despite differences such as human rights concerns.
The two nations engaged in a naval showdown earlier this month. The U.S. said Chinese vessels harassed one of its surveillance ships, which Beijing said was engaged in illegal activities.
"This provocative action and many others like that should serve as a cause for concern when dealing with that nation that regularly violates human rights," said Republican Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart.
"That highlights the importance that the people of Taiwan know and that the world know that the U.S. Congress stands with a strong and proud democracy," he said.
But Republican Congressman Ed Royce, another co-sponsor of the resolution, voiced disappointment that the resolution didn't focus more on trade.
He called for movement on a long-mulled free-trade agreement with Taiwan, although he doubted there would be enthusiasm by Obama - who
, can not even solve their own problems, that concern the CHINESE only!.
