TAIWAN INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY ACT

On 2025-05-05, Representative Johnny Olszewski, Jr. (D-MD-2) delivered a floor speech titled "TAIWAN INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY ACT" in the House.

TAIWAN INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY ACT

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 74 (Monday, May 5, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 74 (Monday, May 5, 2025)] [House] [Pages H1836-H1838] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] TAIWAN INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY ACT Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2416) to amend the Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act of 2019 to provide that the United States, as a member of any international organizations, should oppose any attempts by the People's Republic of China to resolve Taiwan's status by distorting the decisions, language, policies, or procedures of the organization, and for other purposes. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 2416 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Taiwan International Solidarity Act''. SEC. 2. CLARIFICATION REGARDING UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION 2758 (XXVI). Subsection (a) of section 2 of the Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act of 2019 (Public Law 116-135) (relating to diplomatic relations with Taiwan) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: ``(10) United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 (XXVI) established the representatives of the Government of the People's Republic of China as the only lawful representatives of China to the United Nations. The resolution did not address the issue of representation of Taiwan and its people in the United Nations or any related organizations, nor did the resolution take a position on the relationship between the People's Republic of China and Taiwan or include any statement pertaining to Taiwan's sovereignty. ``(11) The United States opposes any initiative that seeks to change Taiwan's status without the consent of the people.''. SEC. 3. UNITED STATES ADVOCACY FOR INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS TO RESIST THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA'S EFFORTS TO DISTORT THE ``ONE CHINA'' POSITION. Section 4 of the Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act of 2019 (relating to the policy of the United States regarding Taiwan's participation in international organizations) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' after the semicolon at the end; (2) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(5) to instruct, as appropriate, representatives of the United States Government in all organizations described in paragraph (1) to use the voice, vote, and influence of the United States to advocate such organizations to resist the People's Republic of China's efforts to distort the decisions, language, policies, or procedures of such organizations regarding Taiwan.''. SEC. 4. OPPOSING THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA'S EFFORTS TO UNDERMINE TAIWAN'S TIES AND PARTNERSHIPS INTERNATIONALLY. Subsection (a) of section 5 of the Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act of 2019 (relating to strengthening ties with Taiwan) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' after the semicolon at the end; (2) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(5) encourage, as appropriate, United States allies and partners to oppose the People's Republic of China's efforts to undermine Taiwan's official diplomatic relationships and its partnerships with countries with which it does not maintain diplomatic relations.''. SEC. 5. REPORT ON THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA'S ATTEMPTS TO PROMOTE ITS ``ONE CHINA'' POSITION. (a) In General.--Subsection (b) of section 5 of the Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act of 2019 (relating to strengthening ties with Taiwan) is amended by inserting before the period at the end the following: ``, as well as information relating to any prior or ongoing attempts by the People's Republic of China to undermine Taiwan's membership or observer status in all organizations described in section (4)(1) and Taiwan's ties and relationships with other countries in accordance with subsection (a) of this section''. (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and apply beginning with the first report required under subsection (b) of section 5 of the Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act of 2019, as amended by subsection (a), that is required after such date. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mast) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Olszewski) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida. [[Page H1837]] General Leave Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Florida? There was no objection. {time} 1630 Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Taiwan International Solidarity Act, a vital update to the TAIPEI Act that reflects both the realities of today's global landscape and the urgency of standing up to the Chinese Communist Party, as we have spoken about at length today. This amendment makes clear that the United States, as a participant in any international organization, must actually oppose attempts by the CCP to distort the policies, procedures, or language of those institutions in order to manipulate Taiwan's status. Let me be blunt: Beijing has waged a systematic campaign to erase Taiwan from the international stage. From the World Health Organization to the International Civil Aviation Organization, the CCP has bullied, bribed, and pressured global institutions and countries into sidelining Taiwan despite Taiwan's clear qualifications and its contributions to global health, security, and commerce. Few examples illustrate the Chinese Communist Party's deceptive tactics more clearly than its distortion of U.N. General Assembly Resolution 2758. Adopted in 1971, the resolution recognized the People's Republic of China as the legitimate representative of China at the United Nations. It made no mention, explicit or implicit, of Taiwan's status, sovereignty, or representation, yet Beijing has deliberately misinterpreted this resolution, falsely claiming it provides international recognition of the PRC's authority over Taiwan. This misinterpretation has been weaponized to exclude Taiwan from global institutions and forums. What was intended as a procedural resolution has been cynically exploited to isolate a democratic and peaceful partner. This calculated assault on truth and freedom must not go unchallenged. The Chinese Communist Party seeks to rewrite international norms and terminology to serve its own political narrative. They deny Taiwan's voice on the world stage, not because Taiwan lacks legitimacy but because its thriving democracy stands as a powerful example to the CCP's authoritarian model. This amendment ensures that the United States will not stand idly by. It affirms our commitment to actively push back against Beijing's manipulative influence in global institutions. It tells our allies and our adversaries that the United States will not legitimize falsehoods about Taiwan's status or sovereignty. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2416, the Taiwan International Solidarity Act. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague, Representative Connolly, for his work in developing this bill. As has been said on this floor earlier, we know that he can't be with us today, and we send our best wishes and our prayers to him and his family as he continues his courageous battle with cancer. Representative Connolly is among the hardest working Members of Congress and the most dedicated public servants in the United States. He is as tough as they come, and I know he is going to keep fighting. Our thoughts and prayers are truly with him. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support this bipartisan measure, which will strengthen U.S.-Taiwan ties, showcase our support for Taiwan, and help counter Beijing's coercive influence around the world. U.S. policy toward Taiwan remains consistent across administrations and guided by the Taiwan Relations Act. What has changed, though, is Beijing's increasingly aggressive international campaign to exclude Taiwan from the international community through intimidation, coercion, and distortion of established and well-accepted norms. To be clear, there is no justification in the U.N. General Assembly Resolution 2758 for Taiwan's continued exclusion from international bodies. The resolution only established the Government of the PRC as a representative for China at the U.N. It did nothing to define or determine a role for Taiwan. This bill codifies what has long been the United States' position; that is, to oppose Beijing's actions to misinterpret and distort U.N. Resolution 2758 and enable the United States to empower our partners to resist Beijing's overtures to reduce or sever relations with Taiwan. Taiwan is a friend, a vibrant democracy, and a force for good in the world. In this Congress, on a bipartisan basis, we will continue to push for its inclusion in global dialogue. Mr. Speaker, by reinforcing the United States' opposition to Beijing's misinterpretation of U.N. General Assembly Resolution 2758, this bill sends a clear signal that the United States will not waiver and that we will stand up for our friends whe

Referenced legislation: HR2416, HR2416