美國眾議院無異議通過第88號決議案，重申台灣關係法和雷根政府六大保證

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PASSES SIX ASSURANCES LEGISLATION!

(Washington, D.C. – May 16, 2016) – At 4:40PM on May 16, 2016, HCR88 “Reaffirming the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances as the Cornerstone of United States-Taiwan Relations" went to the floor of the full House of Representatives for a vote and passed by voice-vote.

Reps. Royce, Chabot, Engel, Ros-Lehtinen and Carter (GA) spoke in strong bi-partisan support of the resolution during the 20 minute long floor debate. (See: Attached)

HCR88 was introduced last October by former chairman of the Asian Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH). It concludes that “It is the sense of Congress that the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances together form the cornerstone of United States relations with Taiwan.”

The resolution first lauds the importance of the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act (TRA): “April 10, 2015, marked the 36th anniversary of the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act (Public Law 96–8), codifying into law the basis for continued commercial, cultural, and other relations between the United States and the Taiwan.” The TRA was signed into law during the Carter administration.

However, when President Reagan agreed to sign the U.S.-China Third Communiqué of August 17, 1982, he was disturbed by its possible effect on Taiwan and therefore decided that Taiwan needed to be reassured that the U.S. would not abandon Taiwan.

Enter the 1982 Six Assurances.

Thus, before quoting all Six Assurances verbatim, the resolution reads: “Whereas in 1982 President Reagan wanted to reinforce United States support for Taiwan and therefore issued the Six Assurances.”

Before the resolution reached the floor, key members of Congress had signed onto Congressman Steve Chabot’s resolution as co-sponsors: Reps. Ed Royce, Pete Sessions, Elliot Engel, Chris Smith, Brad Sherman, Dana Rohrabacher, Michael Burgess, Garrett Graves, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Mimi Walters, Randy Weber, Rob Bishop, Matt Salmon, Michael McCaul, Paul Cook, Gerald Connolly, and Ted Yoho.

FAPA President Peter Chen states: “Since the “Six Assurances” were a verbal pledge, this is the first time in history that they reach the floor of Congress in the form of legislation. This adds tremendous weight and momentum to the Six Assurances and further solidifies the US commitment to Taiwan.”
Peter Chen concludes: “With the May 20 inauguration in Taiwan, passage of the resolution is a welcome gift to the people of Taiwan and a celebration of their continued commitment to freedom, human rights and democracy.”

〔即時新聞／綜合報導〕今年4月底時，美國眾院外委會以口頭無異議方式一致通過「共同決議案」，重申「台灣關係法」和「6項保證」，並送眾院院會表決，今天美國眾議院院會無異議通過有關支持台灣的「共同決議案」。

在準總統蔡英文就職前夕，美國國會通過「共同決議案」，不分黨派支持台灣，這也是「6項保證」首度訴諸書面文字。「共同決議案」無須美國總統簽名生效，不具法律約束力，代表的是美國國會的態度，也是美台關係的基石。

本報曾報導，美國前總統雷根所提出的「6項保證」包括︰美國不會設下結束對台軍售的日期；不會更動台灣關係法的條款；不會在做出對台軍售的決定之前與中國協商；不會做台灣與中國的調人；不會改變對台灣主權的立場，也就是這個問題必須由中國人自己和平解決，美國不會壓迫台灣和中國談判；美國也不會正式承認中國人對台灣的主權（US would not formally recognize Chinese sovereignty over Taiwan）。

H. CON. RES. 88
Reaffirming the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances as the cornerstone of United States–Taiwan relations.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
October 28, 2015
Mr. Chabot submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Reaffirming the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances as the cornerstone of United States–Taiwan relations.
Whereas for more than 50 years, a close relationship has existed between the United States and Taiwan, which has been of major economic, cultural, and strategic advantage to both countries;
Whereas over the past two decades, the people of Taiwan have worked hard to establish a vibrant and pluralistic democracy in their country and conducted 5 successful Presidential elections, successive elections for members of their national legislature, numerous local elections, and 2 national referendums;
Whereas the United States has vital security and strategic interests in the Taiwan Strait, with United States troops stationed in countries within the Taiwan Strait region;
Whereas April 10, 2015, marked the 36th anniversary of the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act (Public Law 96–8), codifying into law the basis for continued commercial, cultural, and other relations between the United States and Taiwan;
Whereas the Taiwan Relations Act has been instrumental in maintaining peace, security, and stability in the Taiwan Strait since its enactment in 1979;
Whereas when the Taiwan Relations Act was enacted, it affirmed that the United States decision to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China was based on the expectation that the future of Taiwan would be determined by peaceful means;
Whereas the Taiwan Relations Act declares that peace and stability in the area are in the political, security, and economic interests of the United States, and are matters of international concern;
Whereas the Taiwan Relations Act states that it is the policy of the United States to provide Taiwan with arms of a defensive character to maintain the capacity to resist any resort to force or other forms of coercion that would jeopardize the security, or the social or economic system, of the people on Taiwan;
Whereas the Taiwan Relations Act also states that “it is the policy of the United States to preserve and promote extensive, close, and friendly commercial, cultural and other relations between the people on Taiwan, as well as the people on the China mainland”;
Whereas in 1982, President Ronald Reagan sought to reinforce United States support for Taiwan and therefore issued the Six Assurances as guidelines to conduct relations between the United States and Taiwan;
Whereas on July 14, 1982 then head of the American Institute in Taiwan James Lilley put forward in President Reagan’s name Six Assurances regarding America’s policy toward Taiwan;
Whereas these Six Assurances stipulated that the United States —
1. Had not agreed to set a date for ending arms sales to the Republic of China;
2. Had not agreed to hold prior consultations with the PRC regarding arms sales to the Republic of China;
3. Would not play a mediation role between the PRC and the Republic of China;
4. Would not revise the Taiwan Relations Act;
5. Had not altered its position regarding sovereignty over Taiwan; and
6. Would not exert pressure on the Republic of China to enter into negotiations with the PRC.
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that the United States hereby affirm that the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances together form the cornerstone of United States relations with Taiwan.

去年 Johnny Depp 和太太 Amber Heard 私藏自己的狗狗進入澳洲，因此吃上官司，遭澳洲檢調以非法攜狗入境、偽造文書等罪名起訴。
　
強尼戴普去年於澳洲拍攝《神鬼奇航5》，意外受傷，愛妻搭乘私人飛機前往探班，卻沒有依規定讓兩隻寵物犬接受檢疫，因而惹上了麻煩。安珀赫德一度提供澳洲檢調假文件，讓澳洲農業部長大為光火，兩隻愛犬差點被安樂死，當時還緊急動用私人飛機前往搭救牠們。
　
昨日在澳洲開庭，強尼戴普以證人身分陪同太太出席，官司打了將近一年，終於以1個月的行為檢點契約和1000美金的罰鍰終止這場荒唐的鬧劇，兩人並拍攝了一支道歉影片，承認自己輕忽澳洲法律的過錯，由澳洲農業部公開。
　
“If you disrespect Australian law, they will tell you firmly.”

「如果你不尊重澳洲的法律，他們就會讓你牢牢的記住。」
　
許多人看了之後批評兩人並無道歉誠意，國際媒體更用「 Awkward」來形容這支影片。