West LA Times

WASHINGTON – On May 16, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) issued the following statement after a bipartisan bill he cosponsored with Representatives Gerry Connolly (D-VA), John Curtis (R-UT), and a bipartisan coalition of Members passed out of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The bill, entitled the Taiwan International Solidarity Act, amends the already existing TAIPEI Act of 2019 to reaffirm that the United States will oppose any efforts by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to interfere with the way Taiwan conducts diplomacy and engages with international organizations.

The TAIPEI Act of 2019 has strengthened the relationship between Taiwan and the United States. Despite this, the PRC has distorted the United Nations policies and procedures to inaccurately claim that China has the right to represent Taiwan in international organizations like the World Health Organization and INTERPOL, thus leaving Taiwan out of critical conversations on global health and security. The Members’ new bill, which passed out of committee, builds on the TAIPEI Act by reaffirming the United States’ intent to oppose any efforts by the PRC to undermine Taiwan’s diplomatic efforts and encourages other nations to do the same.

“As a longtime advocate for Taiwan’s inclusion and participation in international organizations, I’m pleased this bill passed out of committee on a bipartisan basis. Taiwan deserves a seat at the table. Taiwan has long been a critical partner to the United States and the world more broadly, especially on matters related to global health. The United States should help ensure Taiwan is a part of international organizations.”

Original source can be found here.