“Taiwan-US Relations: A Strong and Solid Partnership”
Timothy C.T. Yang, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Republic of China (Taiwan)
2011.03.07 18.30 World Affairs Council of Orange County
I.Introduction
Chairman-elect Serge Tomassian, Director-General Kong, Members of the Orange County World Affairs Council, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen: good evening!
It is both an honor and a pleasure to speak before this great council tonight. My appreciation goes to Chairman Rafig for inviting me to come and speak when I received him and the delegation of the World Affairs Council in Taipei last October.
The World Affairs Council of Orange County and Taiwan have enjoyed cordial relations for many years. Way back in February 1994, our current President, Ma Ying-jeou, addressed the council in his capacity as Minister of Justice. It’s truly a privilege for me to join you here today and further solidify our cherished friendship.
Taiwan and Orange County are close for a number of other reasons. For instance, many Taiwanese immigrants have settled down here to experience the American dream, and many Taiwanese high tech companies, such as ACER and RITEK, have opened branches here as well. Each year thousands of Taiwanese tourists come to Orange County for the world-famous amusement parks Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm. Furthermore, Irvine and our own Taoyuan City are sister cities. All of the above illustrates how Orange County serves as a strong link in the relations between our two countries.
II.“Flexible Diplomacy” Policy
Before moving on to today’s topic “Taiwan-US Relations: A Strong and Solid Partnership”, let me begin by elaborating the concept of “flexible diplomacy”, which serves as the guideline for Taiwan’s current foreign policy.
Over the past 62 years of separation, Taiwan and mainland China have experienced military conflicts, diplomatic confrontations and political struggles. Since the Carter administration switched diplomatic relations from Taipei to Beijing in 1979, the triangular relations between the three of us have been viewed by many observers as a kind of zero-sum game.
Due to the stalemate across the Taiwan Strait, policy-makers in Washington often engage in debate over cross-strait policy and the US’s role in this triangular relationship. In the past, there were occasions when cross-strait tension was so high that the United States had to face the possibility of becoming involved in a cross-strait conflict.
Since President Ma Ying-jeou took office in May 2008, he has instituted a new policy to transform the previous confrontational stance into a peaceful one. This is due to the fact that he well understands that all of our interests are at stake, and Taiwan needs to adopt a prudent approach to advance its interests.
The overall goal of President Ma’s policy is to reduce the zero-sum nature of Taiwan-US-mainland China relations and create an atmosphere that fosters “three winners” instead of “three losers”. As for our foreign affairs, we have adopted a “flexible diplomacy” policy that embodies the following core aims:
◎ Maintain the Status Quo: In practice, Taiwan and mainland China have reached a tacit understanding in that the two of us should stop trying to win over the diplomatic allies of the other side. Since President Ma’s inauguration, all of our 23 diplomatic allies have maintained stable relations with us. In return, mainland China’s allies have been faithful as well.
◎ Rebuild Mutual Trust: We have been striving to rebuild mutual trust with Washington so as to reduce the unpredictability and uncertainty regarding our relations with the United States and mainland China. This surprise-free approach is a key element of our flexible diplomacy policy.
◎ Use Wisely Our Resources: As we pursue rapprochement with mainland China in the international arena, we can use our resources more wisely. To better achieve the goal of aid programs to our diplomatic allies, we would take steps to ensure our aid programs follow the principle of “legitimate goals, legal processes, and effective administration.”
◎ Expand the Scope of Our National Interests: We have also redefined our national interests from traditional sovereignty concerns to such interests as economic development and the promotion of democratic values, cultural exchanges and social welfare. We believe that the soft power Taiwan commands is among the strongest in the world.
◎ Peace through Strength: In light of our current challenges and difficulties, Taiwan must continue to engage with mainland China from a position of strength, instead of weakness. We continue to urge Washington to make its defensive weapons and support services available to help us meet our security needs.
III.Key Elements of Strong Taiwan-US Relations
As cross-strait relations become less tense, we believe that the United States can further develop its relations with Taiwan without prompting a negative reaction from mainland China. I am confident that Taiwan-US relations will improve across the board, as some key elements of them have been solidifying.
First, Taiwan and the United States share the values of democracy and human rights.Taiwan shares the core values of democracy with the United States, as we both respect freedom, human rights, and the rule of law. Taiwan now is a full-fledged democracy because, since the 1980s, we have reached significant achievements in our political reforms, including the universal suffrage of our Congress, four direct presidential elections, and two peaceful power transitions through direct election.
Our democratic achievements have enabled us to win tremendous support from the United States. In 2002, Secretary of State Colin Powell said that Taiwan is a success story of democracy. In March 2008, President George W. Bush said in his congratulatory statement to Ma Ying-jeou on his election to the presidency, “Taiwan is a beacon of democracy to Asia and the world. With the common language of democracy, it is natural for both countries to form a close relationship.”
Second, we share common strategic interests in this region.In 1979, the US Congress passed the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) in response to the switch of US diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing. The TRA clearly states that “any effort to determine the future of Taiwan by non-peaceful means, including by boycotts or embargoes” is a threat to the peace and security of the Western Pacific area and “of grave concern to the United States.”
Three years after the passage of the TRA, President Ronald Reagan raised “Six Assurances” to Taiwan during the negotiations on the US-mainland China Joint Communique of August 17, 1982. The “Six Assurances” stated that the United States would not agree to:
-- set a date for ending arms sales to Taiwan;
-- hold prior consultations with Beijing on arms sales to Taiwan;
-- play any mediation role between Taiwan and mainland China;
-- revise the Taiwan Relations Act;
-- alter its position regarding sovereignty over Taiwan;
-- or, finally, exert pressure on Taiwan to negotiate with mainland China.
This January, Secretary of State Hilary Clinton publicly reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to the TRA. Shortly afterward, President Barack Obama also reaffirmed America’s commitment to the TRA in the joint press conference with mainland China leader Hu Jintao.
Washington’s continued commitments to the TRA and “Six Assurances” have helped preserve peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the Western Pacific region.
Third, Taiwan is a reliable security partner to the United States.In accordance with the TRA, the United States is committed to making available defensive arms and defensive services to Taiwan so as to help Taiwan defend itself. Since President Ma took office in May 2008, both the Bush and Obama administrations have sold Taiwan defensive weapons and support services worth a total amount of 13 billion US dollars. By the same token, our two countries have enjoyed close cooperation in terms of regional security.
A secure Taiwan is more capable of engaging in interaction and dialogue with mainland China. On March 26, 2008, four days after the announcement of Ma Ying-jeou’s election victory, President George W. Bush made a phone call to mainland China leader Hu Jintao in order to urge him to resume dialogue with Taiwan. Mr. Hu said that both sides of the Taiwan Strait should resume talks on the basis of “the 1992 Consensus”, in which both sides recognize the fact that there is only “one China”, with each side holding its own definition thereof.
That was the first time for a leader of mainland China to publicly recognize the formula of “one China, with respective interpretations”, which has formed the basis of cross-strait dialogue in recent years.
When I flew to Houston on December 2009, I had the opportunity to call on President George W. Bush. At that time, I thanked him for his strong support of Taiwan’s security and his personal encouragements to both sides of the Taiwan Strait to resume dialogue.
It is important to note that our security partnership is not limited to the sale of arms. Since the attacks of September 11, Taiwan has been a strong partner to the US in the war on terror. We contribute in a very direct way to US and global security by participating in programs such as reconstruction in Afghanistan and Iraq, the Container Security Initiative and the Megaports Initiative.
Fourth, we enjoy close economic ties.Taiwan’s open, dynamic and market-based economy enables it to be a strong and constructive partner in the global trading system. Taiwan and the United States work together closely in the international arena, such as through the WTO and APEC, to advance key priorities aimed at promoting free trade.
Taiwan is the US’s 9th largest trading partner, larger even than India and Brazil. Two-way trade last year amounted to more than 61.9 billion USD. Furthermore, Taiwan is the 6th largest market for US agricultural exports, and the United States is Taiwan’s largest foreign investor. One of the Obama administration’s key priorities is enhancing the US’s economic presence in the Asia Pacific region, and Taiwan is a natural ally in this respect.
On the basis of “the 1992 Consensus” and “One China with respective interpretations”, Taiwan and mainland China have engaged in 6 rounds of institutional negotiations and have signed 15 agreements over the last two and a half years. The most significant of these is the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA), which entered into effect on January 1 this year.
The ECFA lowers or eliminates tariffs on hundreds of commodities and also provides a framework for facilitating investment and liberalizing financial services across the Strait. Last month, President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton publicly praised the ECFA, as well as increased dialogue between the two sides, for reducing tensions and advancing prosperity.
We are committed to strengthening our economic ties with the US and urge US companies to explore investing in Taiwan and to take advantage of the increased market access to mainland China that the ECFA brings.
IV.Shoring up Taiwan-US relations as cross-strait tensions abate
The key to long-term stability across the Taiwan Strait and throughout the Asia Pacific is having a strong, free, prosperous and democratic Taiwan that can deal with mainland China from a position of strength. A solid and action-oriented Taiwan-US relationship makes this very possible.
Now let me turn to some of our expectations for the future of Taiwan-US relations.
First, we hope Washington provides us defense items such as F-16C/D fighter jets and diesel-powered submarines.Numerous reports from both the US government and the private sector conclude that the military imbalance across the Taiwan Strait is growing.
In its 2010 Report on the PRC Military and Security Developments, the Pentagon concluded that, despite the progress being made in cross-strait economic and cultural ties, mainland China’s military buildup opposite Taiwan continues unabated.
I would like here to quote President J. F. Kennedy who, in his inaugural address, said: “Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate.” And to quote another respected former US President, Ronald Reagan in his first presidential election campaign address said: “Peace is made by the fact of strength, and peace is lost when such strength disappears.”
Taiwan needs F-16 C/D fighters and diesel-powered submarines to replace its aging equipment. It is essential that we can engage mainland China in a position of strength, not one of weakness.
Second, we urge the US to resume visits by cabinet member to Taiwan.During the Clinton Administration, five cabinet members were sent to visit Taiwan. Although Taiwan’s cabinet members frequently visit the US, no US cabinet member has visited Taiwan in over a decade. We hope these high-level exchanges can be resumed so as to enhance our bilateral relations.
Third, we hope the US can resume the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) talks soon and start Taiwan-US FTA consultations.The TIFA talks are an important mechanism for deepening and broadening economic relations between Taiwan and the US.
Despite our excellent overall trade relations, like any other trading partners, Taiwan and the United States have faced a number of trade issues over the years. A recent issue has been the import of certain US beef products to Taiwan. As a result, the TIFA talks have been stalled for over three years now.
As we continue to work with our American counterparts to resolve these trade issues, we hope Washington can resume the TIFA talks as soon as possible. It is an invaluable channel for finding solutions to our trade disputes and may eventually lead to discussions on a Taiwan-US FTA.
Fourth, it is in both our interests to include Taiwan in the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP).While Taiwanese nationals can travel either visa-free or on a landing visa to 97 countries and areas, including the European Union, Japan and Canada, the United States remains one of the few countries that still require our passport-holders to apply for visas.
If Taiwan were to join the VWP, the United States would benefit from increased numbers of Taiwanese tourists and business visitors. Moreover, academic and cultural exchanges between the two sides would no doubt expand.
We have worked closely with the US to meet the legal and technical requirements needed to qualify for the VWP. We look forward to both sides taking more concrete steps in the future and expediting the process.
Fifth, we hope to conclude an extradition agreement with the United States.In 2002, Taiwan and the United States signed a Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement that deals with such criminal matters as taking testimonies, providing documents, carrying out requests for searches and the seizure of illicit goods.
However, judicial cooperation between the two sides cannot move forward due to the lack of an extradition agreement. As a result, a number of notorious Taiwanese fugitives have fled to the United States and cannot be extradited. We therefore very much want to see both sides conclude an extradition agreement to bring these people to justice.
V.Conclusion
Taiwan and the United States have built a very strong relationship based on a solid foundation of shared values and mutual interests. The United States is a good friend to Taiwan, just as we are a good friend to the US. As such, the US can always find support in Taiwan for the many important challenges it faces.
Again, I would also like to emphasize that Taiwan has always been, and will continue to be, a reliable partner to the US. For the sake of stability and prosperity in the region, it is crucial that the US continues to take a balanced and value-based approach toward the Taiwan Strait. Thank you very much again for having me here, and I will now gladly take your questions.