US-China Forum, Inc.
8837 E. Las Tunas Dr., Temple City, CA 91780, U.S.A.
TEL: 310-710-1860 EMAIL: [email protected]
us-chinaforum.org us-chinaforum.com
February 1st, 2018
Dear Senator Feinstein :
We, a group of concerned Chinese American citizens interested in promoting a long term better U.S.-China relation and a stable peaceful Asia-Pacific region, would like to pay our tribute to your valuable service in the Sensate for over a quarter century and furthermore to wish you continued success in seeking another re-election.
We are writing you to call your attention to consider voting “no” to S1051, Taiwan Travel Act (TTA) should it come to the full Senate for a vote.
This bill states that it should be the U.S. policy to: (1) allow officials at all levels of the U.S. government to travel to Taiwan to meet their Taiwan counterparts; (2) allow high level Taiwanese officials to enter the United States under respectful conditions and to meet with the U.S. officials; and (3) encourage the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Representatives Office and other instrumentalities established by Taiwan to conduct business in the United States. The Department of State shall report to Congress regarding travel by the U.S. executive branch officials to Taiwan.
A similar bill has already passed the House as H.R.535 on 01/09/2018. We would like to point out the severity of outcome should the Senate follow suit and the President sign it into law.
We all know that the U.S.-China relations have been built on the understanding and commitment to the three communiqués signed by both sides (in 1972,1979 and 1982), and the security of Taiwan has been under the protection based on the Taiwan Relations Act (1979). These 4 historical documents have been the cornerstones and consistent bipartisan U.S. foreign policy since 1970’s.
The enactment of TTA would certainly signify that the U.S is in no uncertain term to scrap the three Communiques that serve as the foundation of the diplomatic relations between the U.S. and China. Should that happen, the hard-earned progress and the great contribution that U.S. made to the betterment of lives of the 1.4 billion Chinese people since 1978 after China’s open and reform effort would be all for naught. But, would TTA bring peace and stability to the people in Taiwan? We do not believe that it would. On the contrary, the TTA will almost certainly provoke China to no longer honor its tacit commitment to a peaceful reunification of Taiwan. Instead, China might very well try to rely on a short but deadly military attack. Is the U.S. prepared to face such a confrontation? Even if our mighty military can win eventually, are we willing to pay such a dear price?
The U.S.-China relation has been one of, if not the most important bilateral relations between the two countries. Since the early 70’s, China has become one of the top three powers of the world. This achievement is met sometimes with the encouragement of the U.S., sometimes not. For example, China has committed substantially her military force to the peacekeeping mission of the United Nations. In fact, China has dispatched to date more military personnel to such honorable tasks than any other UN member nations! China’s active participation of the UN effort deserves our praise and support.
This planet we live in is with limited resources with ever increasing populations. We have common problems that require joint collaborations rather than fighting against each other. By voting “no” to TTA, We are much better off to treat China as a friend, partner or even a peaceful competitor than an enemy leading to mutual destruction.
Respectfully submitted,
Richard Chen
Director of Communications
U.S.-China Forum