Asia

US Senate Unanimous In Support For ‘TAIPEI Act’

In a huge boost to recognition of Taiwan on the global scene, the United States Senate on Wednesday passed the Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act.

Coming on the back of a 415 votes for, to none opposing, the legislation was first introduced in the House by Republican Congressman John Curtis late last year in an attempt to demonstrate continued US support for Taiwan on the international stage.

Passage of the legislation now requires the US government to help promote Taiwan to global bodies and other organizations to ensure future participation either as a member, or at least with observer status.

Taiwan is still unable to join the United Nations, World Health Organization and numerous other bodies as a result of political pressure from Beijing.

In reports out of Washington, the TAIPEI Act now allows the US to follow though with “reducing its economic, security and diplomatic engagements with nations that take serious or significant actions to undermine Taiwan.”

Whether or not President Donald Trump signs the bill remains to be seen, although any bill not actually vetoed by the White House in effect becomes law within 10 days.

Whilst the legislation will be welcomed in both political and business circles in Taiwan, at time of writing, no official response from Beijing has been released.

Mark Buckton

Mark is a journalism vet of 20 years with most of those years spent in Tokyo, Japan, as a columnist for The Japan Times and numerous other publications. His work has appeared on CNN, in the BBC, NPR, and in several dozen other media forms and publications across five continents.