Text of Taiwan Security Enhancement Act

H.R. 1838 was originally introduced on May 18, 1999, by Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas) and a bipartisan group of 14 co-sponsors. In the ensuing weeks, a total of 77 Members of Congress co-sponsored the bill. A substantially revised version, authored by Rep. Benjamin Gilman (R-N.Y.) and Rep. Sam Gejdensen (D-Conn.) was introduced as an amendment during the House International Relations Committee mark-up of the bill on October 26, 1999. The Committee approved the bill by a 32-6 vote, and it went to the floor of the House of Representatives on February 1, 2000. After debate, the bill was approved by a vote of 341-70.

[ News ] [ Papers ]

Senate GOP Tables Taiwan Bill
(Washington Post, April 27, 2000) Senate Republican leaders have decided to put off consideration of a bill to strengthen military ties with Taiwan, after the island's newly elected president asked a visiting senator to avoid measures that might provoke China at a sensitive time. Sen. Frank H. Murkowski (R-Alaska), who visited Taiwan last week, said that President-elect Chen Shui-bian and several other leading Taiwanese politicians urged the Senate to wait until after Chen is inaugurated on May 20 and has set up his administration before voting on the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act.

Senate Leader Presses for Arm Sales to Taiwan While Supporting TSEA
(CNA, April 7, 2000) US Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS) is pressing for arms sales to Taiwan while aggressively supporting a bill designed to strengthen military ties with the island, his spokesman said on Friday. John Czwartacki dismissed as an "irresponsible piece of journalism" a report in Friday's Washington Times that Lott intended to kill the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act (TSEA) in exchange for the administration's promise to sell four Aegis guided-missile destroyers to the island.

China Assures US: No Crisis over Taiwan
(Straits Times, Feb. 5, 2000) Still fuming over a Bill approving closer US military-to-military contacts with Taiwan, China sought to assure the United States that it was not planning any military operations against the island, if the current status quo was maintained. "I do not foresee a military crisis, if Taiwan does not provoke it," Mr Liu Xiaoming, the second-ranking Chinese diplomat here, told journalists.

Clinton Discusses Taiwan Bill
(AP, Feb. 4, 2000) A House-passed bill to boost U.S. military ties with Taiwan could boomerang to the detriment of the island in its lingering dispute with China, President Clinton said today. "I don't think it's in Taiwan's best interest," Clinton said. He added, however, that he is not sure the legislation would complicate his goal of bringing China into the World Trade Organization.

U.S. Told Not To Mistake China For Yugoslavia
(Reuters, Feb. 4, 2000) The mouthpiece of the People's Liberation Army, furious over U.S. Congress passing legislation to boost military ties with Taiwan, warned the United States on Friday not to mistake China for Yugoslavia. "China is not Yugoslavia. And Taiwan is not Kosovo," the Liberation Army Daily said in a commentary.

China Calls on Clinton to Keep His Promise on Taiwan Act
(AFP, Feb 3, 2000) China Thursday urged US President Bill Clinton to honour his promise to block legislation boosting military ties with Taiwan, and hurled invectives at the US Congressmen who approved the bill.

China Protests U.S. House Vote on Taiwan
(New York Times, Feb. 2, 2000) China vehemently protested today the United States House of Representatives' vote to expand military ties with Taiwan, calling it a "serious encroachment on China's sovereignty" and a "gross interference in China's internal affairs." Ambassador Joseph Prueher was summoned to the Foreign Ministry this afternoon to hear the protest, which was delivered by Deputy Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.

Clinton Threatens Veto of Closer Military Ties to Taiwan
(New York Times, Feb. 2, 2000) The White House said today that President Clinton would veto a bill approved overwhelmingly by the House on Tuesday that would expand military ties between Taiwan and the United States.

Taiwan Welcomes US Bill to Boost Security Ties

(AFP, Feb. 2, 2000) Taiwan on Wednesday welcomed a bill approved by the US House of Representatives aimed at boosting Washington's commitment to the security of this nationalist island. "The bill will serve as a deterrent against China's attempt to threaten Taiwan's security in the upcoming presidential polls," said DPP parliamentarian Chen Pao-ching.

House Votes for Stronger Military Ties to Taiwan
(Washington Post, Feb. 2, 2000) In a broad bipartisan vote, the House voted yesterday to strengthen military ties with Taiwan, brushing aside objections by the Clinton administration and warnings from the Chinese government.

U.S. House Votes to Boost Military Ties With Taiwan
(Reuters, Feb. 1, 2000) In a move likely to further complicate relations with China, the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday approved legislation to boost America's military ties with Taiwan. The bill, called the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act, was approved in a bipartisan vote of 341-70 despite opposition by the Clinton Administration. The legislation provides for direct military communications to be established between Washington and Taipei and directs the U.S, military to expand its training of Taiwanese officers.

Bucking China, U.S. Congress To Vote On Taiwan
(Reuters, Jan 29, 2000) Republican leaders in the U.S. Congress are pressing ahead with legislation to boost U.S. military ties with Taiwan, bucking the White House and risking a backlash from China ahead of a critical vote on a landmark trade agreement with Beijing. The legislation, scheduled for a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday, would establish direct military communications between Washington and Taipei and expand U.S. training of Taiwanese military officers.

China Not Assuaged by Delay in Vote on Taiwan Security Enhancement Act
(AFP, Nov. 2, 1999) China said Tuesday it was not at all relieved that US legislators had decided to postpone a vote on a controversial law that would strengthen Washington's military ties with Taiwan. Lu Shuning, minister counselor and spokesman for the Chinese embassy here, said China would stay "on alert" in opposing the Republican-sponsored Taiwan Security Enhancement Act which it says would severely damage US-China ties and raise tension in the Taiwan Strait.

House Leaders Delay Taiwan Vote On Concerns Over China Talks
(Washington Post, Nov. 2, 1999) House leaders have decided to put off a floor vote on a controversial bill to improve U.S.-Taiwan military relations, after some lawmakers raised concerns that the move could interfere with sensitive negotiations to bring China into the World Trade Organization.

China Opposes US Bill to Strengthen Military Ties with Taiwan
(AFP, Oct. 28, 1999) China on Thursday said it strongly objected to a United States Congressional bill to strengthen military ties with Taiwan, calling it a potential threat to Sino-US relations. "The bill violates China's sovereignty and it brutally interferes with China's internal affairs. China expresses strong indignation and firm opposition to the bill," said Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue at a news briefing.

US House Panel Votes to Boost Taiwan Military Ties
(Reuters, Oct. 26, 1999)A U.S. House of Representatives panel, reflecting concern over simmering tensions between Taiwan and mainland China, on Tuesday approved a bill to strengthen U.S. military ties with Taipei. The House International Relations Committee, by a vote of 32-6, approved a measure that would establish direct military communications between the two countries and expand U.S. training of Taiwanese military officers.

U.S.-Taiwan Security Act Criticized
(AP, Oct. 26, 1999) A House committee moved Tuesday to expand U.S.-Taiwan security ties and send a clear message to China that the United States would respond to aggression against Taiwan. The Clinton administration said the measure could worsen tensions across the Taiwan Strait.

AIT Chairman Opposes Taiwan Security Enhancement Act
(CNA, Oct. 12, 1999) The chairman of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) on Tuesday said he opposes the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act (TSEA) proposed in the US Congress because it would severely impact trilateral ties among Washington, Taipei and Beijing.

White House Opposes Bill Aimed To Boost Taiwan Security
(AFP, Sep 16, 1999) A bill (Taiwan Security Enhancement Act) aimed at boosting Taiwan's security is "unnecessary" and could have "serious, unintended negative consequences," two key aides to U.S. President Bill Clinton warned lawmakers.

Prospects for the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act By Ted Galen Carpenter
(CATO Institute, Mar. 15, 2001) Bush's opposition to that legislation is revealing for two reasons. First, he fought the measure even though it was supported by the Republican leadership in the House of Representatives and backed by Republican House members. (Indeed, a good many Republicans were less than pleased about his action because the bill probably would have passed if he had remained silent). Second, Bush himself had expressed skepticism about the wisdom of the Kosovo mission and U.S. involvement in the Balkans generally.

TSEA 'Could Backfire' for Taiwan
(Taipei Times, Feb. 14, 2000) Contrary to a memo from a U.S. think tank arguing that Senate approval of the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act (TESA) would prevent mainland China's possible interference in Taiwan's presidential election next month, analysts here said that such a move could backfire and heighten cross-strait tensions.

Taiwan Military Ties By Vincent Wei-Cheng Wang
(New York Times,, Feb. 5, 2000) Taiwan's military vulnerabilities became evident amid China's coercive "missile diplomacy" in 1995 and 1996. If one day the United States should need to intervene militarily to help Taiwan, it will find itself knowing little about Taiwan's military doctrines or grand strategy.

TSEA: A Stabilizing Factor in the Taiwan Strait By Cheng-yi Lin
(Peace Forum, Feb. 3, 2000) What concerns Taiwan most is the way in which US arms sales have been complicated by political and diplomatic factors facing the US and the PRC. Compared with the PRC, Taiwan is undervalued by US strategic calculations, both in the Asia-Pacific and globally. US arms sales are attuned to Beijing's tolerance, not to Taipei's evaluated needs.

Reality Check: House Enhances Tensions, Not Taiwan's Security By Greg May
(Nixon Center February 2, 2000) The House of Representatives did Taiwan no favors by passing the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act (TSEA) on Tuesday. This bill succeeds in worsening an already tense situation without actually doing anything substantial to "enhance" Taiwan’s security. The timing of Tuesday's vote showed a remarkable lack of concern for Taiwan.

TSEA is a Right Step
(Taiwan News, Feb. 3, 2000) We argue here that the TRA is broken, so it needs to be fixed. The TRA falls short on two major points: 1. The TRA falls short in helping Taiwan's membership in international organizations. 2. The second area in which the TRA falls short is in the area of safety and security.

TSEA Vital for Taiwan's Security By Lin Cheng-yi
(Taipei Times, Nov. 9, 1999) It has been 20 years since the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA). Although the ambiguous language of the act provides the US government with much maneuvering flexibility, the TSEA is needed to supplement the existing military cooperation between the US and Taiwan which is inadequate to handle any potential crisis in the Taiwan Strait in view of China's ever-increasing military and political threats toward Taiwan.

Enhancing Taiwan's Security By Bruce J. Dickson
(Taipei Times, Nov. 6, 1999) Debate over Taiwan Security Enhancement Act may provide at least one useful service: bringing into the open many of the latent issues that surround US-China-Taiwan relations. There is too little consensus within the US regarding its relations with China and Taiwan. Actions by China and Taiwan have complicated the picture, making a new consensus either within the US or across the straits even less likely.

The Taiwan Security Reduction Act By David M. Lampton
(Washington Post, Oct. 31, 1999) The most dangerous piece of foreign policy legislation in memory is moving through Congress. It is titled the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act. Introduced in the Senate by Jesse Helms (R-N.C.) and Robert Torricelli (D-N.J.) and in the House by Rep. Tom DeLay, it ought to be called the Taiwan Security Reduction Act.

Taiwan Balancing Act
(Editorial, The Wall Street Journal, Oct. 29, 1999) As the U.S. stepped away from its commitment to Taiwan, China stepped away from its commitment to solve the reunification problem without recourse to violence. Rep. Ben Gilman, chairman of the House International Relations Committee, says the bill was in response to "Beijing's outright refusal to renounce the use of force against Taiwan."

Why Taiwan's Security Needs to be Enhanced By Stephen J. Yates
(The Heritage Foundation, Executive Memorandum, No. 632 October 25, 1999) The legislative history of the TRA makes clear that these two provisions were intended to ensure that Taiwan was not relegated to using second-class military hardware and technology, that its defense needs would be determined without regard to the views of the Mainland, and that the President would at least consult with Congress in making this determination. Today, Taiwan suffers from the inability to participate in (or even observe) advanced joint military exercises. And the United States is failing to faithfully implement the legislative intent of the TRA.

Lobbying for Taiwan's Security By Parris Chang
(Taipei Times, Oct. 23, 1999) Yao Eng-chi, the vice speaker of the Legislative Yuan, led a bipartisan team of legislators to Washington between Oct. 11 and 14 for an intensive series of meetings with Senators and House representatives to lobby the passage of the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act (TSEA).