Taipei, Aug. 17 (CNA) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Saturday thanked the Republican National Committee, the decision making body of the Republican Party in the United States, for adopting a resolution in support of Taiwan earlier this month.
In a statement, MOFA expressed gratitude to the Republican National Committee (RNC) for passing the resolution and for its support of Taiwan's freedom, open society and democratic institutions.
The "Resolution Recognizing The 40th Anniversary of The Taiwan Relations Act: An Enduring Partnership," was adopted during the annual RNC summer meeting that was held July 31 to Aug. 2 in Charlotte, North Carolina, MOFA said.
The resolution affirms that under the TRA, it is a policy of the U.S. to "provide Taiwan with arms of a defensive character" to maintain the capacity to resist any resort to force or other forms of coercion.
The TRA, which provides the legal basis for unofficial relations between the U.S. and Taiwan, was signed into law on April 10, 1979 by then U.S. President Jimmy Carter, several months after the U.S. switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing.
MOFA said the RNC resolution also highlights the recent progress in U.S-Taiwan relations, mentioning in particular the passage of the Taiwan Travel Act in 2018, which allows high-level American officials to visit Taiwan and vice versa. The resolution also cited the passage of the Taiwan Assurance Act of 2019 in the U.S. House of Representatives and the announcement of US$2.25 billion worth of arms sales to Taiwan as examples of the growing bilateral relationship, MOFA noted.
"The RNC reaffirms its support for Taiwan's freedom, open society and democratic institutions and its unwavering commitment to the TRA as the cornerstone of relations between the U.S. and Taiwan," the resolution states.
MOFA said the resolution shows the Republican Party's solid support for deepening the relationship between Taiwan and the U.S.
The friendship between the Republican Party and Taiwan goes back a long way, MOFA said, noting that in 2016, the party included in its platform the TRA and the "Six Assurances" given to Taiwan by former U.S. President Ronald Reagan in 1982.
MOFA said it will continue to work closely with both the Republican and Democratic parties to strengthen Taiwan-U.S. ties.
