OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Taiwan International Solidarity Act

Floor Speech

By: Ted Lieu
By: Ted Lieu
Date: July 25, 2023
Location: Washington, DC

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Mr. LIEU. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, Representative Connolly, for his leadership.

I am a proud coauthor of the Taiwan International Solidarity Act. Taiwan is a critically important partner to the United States, and Taiwan has made significant contributions to the international community.

Unfortunately, the actions of the government of the People's Republic of China have prevented Taiwan from being a part of important international organizations that help not only the United States but also helps their international community and helps the PRC.

For example, the PRC blocks Taiwan from being a part of the International Civil Aviation Organization. That is just really stupid because there are people from the PRC flying into Taiwan and flying out; there are people from the United States flying into Taiwan and flying out.

Why wouldn't you want Taiwan to have safer air travel? You absolutely would. The PRC also, unfortunately, blocked Taiwan from being in the World Health Assembly. Factually, it turns out that Taiwan got it right. Taiwan told the entire world that COVID could be passed through human transmission. The PRC lied to the entire world and said that that was not true.

Taiwan got it right and yet, the WHO excludes Taiwan. The WHO should be ashamed of themselves and should let Taiwan in.

Taiwan is also excluded from INTERPOL. Why wouldn't you want Taiwan to help with fighting crime and terrorism around the world? You absolutely would.

This bill would require the State Department to report to Congress every year on any efforts by the PRC government to undermine Taiwan's participation in international organizations.

It would also require the State Department to report on any PRC government effort to undermine Taiwan's relationships with other countries. This information we receive will be critical to holding the PRC government accountable for any efforts to undermine Taiwan's contributions to the international community.

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