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.
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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).
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