Expresses the Senate's stance on UN Resolution 2758, affirming the U.S.'s "One China Policy," opposing China's pressure on Taiwan, and supporting Taiwan's international engagement.
James Risch
Senator
ID
This resolution addresses concerns that the People's Republic of China (PRC) is misrepresenting United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 to falsely claim sovereignty over Taiwan. It reaffirms the U.S.'s "one China policy," which differs from the PRC's "One China Principle," and emphasizes that the U.S. does not take a position on Taiwan's sovereignty. The resolution supports Taiwan's participation in international organizations and encourages other nations to strengthen ties with Taiwan, while also countering China's narrative on Resolution 2758.
Senate Resolution Clarifies US 'One China Policy,' Pushes Back on Beijing's Interpretation of UN Resolution 2758 Regarding Taiwan
This Senate resolution tackles a decades-old international tangle, aiming to clear the air on the United States' stance regarding China and Taiwan. It formally expresses the Senate's view, drawing a sharp line between the U.S. "one China policy" and the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) "One China Principle." The core message: the U.S. acknowledges but doesn't endorse Beijing's claim over Taiwan, supports a peaceful resolution, and insists that a 1971 UN decision, Resolution 2758, did not settle Taiwan's political status.
Policy Deep Dive: US vs. PRC Views
So, what's the difference? Think of it like this: The U.S. "one China policy" is a diplomatic tightrope walk. It acknowledges the PRC's position that there's one China and Taiwan is part of it, but the U.S. doesn't formally recognize that claim. Crucially, the U.S. policy insists any resolution must be peaceful and takes no official stance on Taiwan's ultimate sovereignty. This resolution reaffirms that stance, referencing the "Six Assurances" given to Taiwan back in 1982. In contrast, the CCP's "One China Principle" is straightforward: it asserts Taiwan is part of China, period, and implies the right to use force.
This resolution argues that Beijing has been misrepresenting UN Resolution 2758 – the one that gave the PRC China's seat at the UN back in '71 – by twisting it to support their "One China Principle" and claim it settled Taiwan's fate. The Senate says, 'Not so fast.' According to this resolution, 2758 was about who represents China in the UN, not about Taiwan's sovereignty.
Real-World Ripples: Backing Taiwan on the Global Stage
Beyond clarifying terms, the resolution signals stronger support for Taiwan internationally. It explicitly opposes Beijing's use of its "One China Principle" to pressure Taiwan and other countries. What does that look like in practice? The resolution calls for:
- Supporting Taiwan's Friends: Encouraging nations to maintain or strengthen ties with Taiwan.
- Opening Doors: Advocating for Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations where statehood isn't a requirement (think global health bodies like the WHO) and observer status elsewhere.
- Recognizing Contributions: Highlighting Taiwan's role as a reliable partner, especially in areas like health and tech manufacturing.
- UN Access: Pushing for Taiwanese passport holders to access UN facilities without needing PRC documents.
- Countering Narratives: Urging the U.S. government and allies to actively push back against Beijing's interpretation of Resolution 2758.
Essentially, the Senate is putting its weight behind efforts to ensure Taiwan isn't squeezed out of the international community due to pressure related to Resolution 2758, emphasizing that the original UN vote didn't decide Taiwan's future.