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The U.S.-ROC Relationship in the Future
Security concerns underscore all views of the future relationship between the United States and Taiwan. As President Clinton works to create a strategic partnership with China, there is concern among some that such a partnership may come at the expense of Taiwan's security or other American commitments outlined in the TRA. Congress made clear the importance the U.S. attaches to Taiwan's security when it said in the preamble of the TRA that the U.S. objectives were to "maintain peace, security, and stability" in the region and that the U.S. viewed with "grave concern" any non-peaceful resolution China might pursue against Taiwan. To honor American commitments made under the TRA, Congress and the Clinton Administration should strive to enhance Taiwan's freedom and security, says Yates. He spells out four steps to take:
Helms's legislation would change this by increasing participation by Taiwan at U.S. defense colleges, enhancing military exchanges, and establishing direct communication between the military forces of the two countries. "The massive and threatening military buildup by Communist China—much of it aimed at Taiwan—should make clear to all that this is certainly no time to reduce our arms sales to Taiwan," Helms asserted. "To the contrary, it is the perfect time to review our defense relationship with Taiwan and to identify ways in which that relationship can be enhanced." "We must take steps," Helms concluded, "to increase our military cooperation with Taipei, provide them the means of self-defense, and make clear to Beijing in no uncertain terms that we consider peace in the Taiwan Strait, and the preservation of Taiwan's democratic, free market system, to be in the vital national security interests of the United States." "We have to insist," added Derwinski, "that the current Congress maintain legislative oversight to see that the Executive Branch abides by the law of the land." As they look to the future of the TRA and the relationship between the United States and Taiwan that it defines, leading authorities in both countries come back to the Act as it was written, and to its remarkable record of success. It has advanced U.S. interests by deterring aggression by mainland China, maintaining the stable and secure environment within which Taiwan has transformed itself into one of the world's leading free-market democracies, and preserved U.S. diplomatic flexibility as China-Taiwan relations evolve. It represents America's best ideals and safeguards fundamental security and commercial interests. "The Taiwan Relations Act has succeeded far beyond the hopes and aspirations of its framers," Dr. Susan Shirk, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Public Affairs stated in an address at the 20th anniversary conference. That the Act remains in force today, without amendment, is "a testament to the wisdom and foresight of its drafters," wrote Yates. Paul Wolfowitz, Dean of the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University, said the TRA will emerge as "an Act of incredible long-term historical performance." Solomon termed it "just as important as the NATO alliance." "For two decades, the Taiwan Relations Act has made clear to the dictators in Beijing, and to the people on Taiwan, that America's friendship with, and commitment to, the ROC remains strong," declared Helms. "It is through the policies of the TRA that the U.S. has kept faith with all the people of China," exclaimed Christopher DeMuth, President of the American Enterprise Institute. "The Taiwan Relations Act is an example of American foreign policy at its best," concludes Yates. "There is no better way to mark the 20th anniversary of its enactment than to reaffirm the U.S. commitment to its honorable goals and to restore clarity and consistency to America's China policy." Stated Chien-jen Chen: "The TRA has given us a provident starting point from which to develop even better relations in the future. Now it is up to the collective wisdom of the government and people of the Republic of China and the government and people of the United States to build upon this solid foundation and make the Asia-Pacific and indeed the world a more prosperous and safer place in the 21st century."
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