Letter to Barack Obama, President of the United States - Fifty-two Senators Commemorate the 35th Anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act

Letter

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President:

The United States and Taiwan have enjoyed a robust and unique partnership over the past decades. Taiwan is one of our most reliable and strongest allies in the Asia Pacific and has grown into one of democracy's leading lights.

April 10, 2014 will mark the 35th anniversary of the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), which was passed by the United States Congress and signed into law in 1979. This legislation provides an institutional framework and legal basis for our continued relations with Taiwan after the end of formal diplomatic ties. The 35th anniversary not only represents an important milestone in our longstanding relationship with Taiwan; it also consolidates the foundation on which our bilateral security, economic and trade relations will continue to grow and flourish and reassures our commitment to maintain peace and stability in the region. Helping Taiwan make further meaningful contributions in the region is in the interest of the United States and in line with the spirit of the TRA.

Taiwan's economic achievements over the last decades have proven the merits of the TRA. Taiwan has aspired for greater integration into regional economic and trade mechanisms, such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Looking forward, as we commemorate the 35th anniversary of this landmark legislation, we hope you will continue to expand dialogue with Taiwan and join us in expressing our continued support for Taiwan's democracy, freedom and economic prosperity.