EVENTS

Date:	Monday, April 13, 2009
Time:	9:00 AM -- 12:30 PM
Location:	Wohlstetter Conference Center, Twelfth Floor, AEI 1150 Seventeenth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036

WASHINGTON, APRIL 20, 2009--Speaking at an April 13 AEI conference marking the thirtieth anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), Paul Wolfowitz noted that the TRA has allowed us "to maintain strong, unofficial relations with the people of Taiwan and at the same time to develop a very important relationship with the People's Republic of China. Perhaps even more important, it has made it possible to do so while preserving peace in the Taiwan Strait."

C. J. Chen, a former foreign minister of the Republic of China, concurred, arguing that the TRA has benefited the United States, Taiwan, and China as well. To explain its success, Chen pointed to its legal and political practicality and to its consistent support from Congress and U.S. presidents. Additionally, he said, "it is undeniable that wisdom, patience, and pragmatism of the leaders of the countries involved have been very important factors." Chen was hopeful that the cross-Strait links increased under recently inaugurated president Ma Ying-jeou will provide for a brighter future.

Former permanent representative to the United Nations John R. Bolton was less optimistic. Pointing to the Chinese military's ongoing modernization and the potential for domestic instability, Bolton argued that "strategic ambiguity has not only served its purpose but may be causing more instability." He said that the United States should accord formal diplomatic recognition to Taiwan. Bolton noted, however, that "limited evidence" from the Obama administration is "not very encouraging for a strongly supportive relationship for Taiwan."

The event's second panel featured a discussion of Taiwan's future. Rupert Hammond-Chambers, president of the U.S.-Taiwan Business Council, pointed to the TRA's importance for Taiwan's future economic health. Taiwan has been able to prosper because the TRA has helped ensure the island's continued security. Hammond-Chambers argued that a "U.S.-Taiwan free trade agreement is essential" for Taiwan's continued economic prosperity and security.

Louisa Coan Greve of the National Endowment for Democracy explained that the TRA's human rights clause has ensured that human rights have a place in the U.S.-Taiwan relationship. Following the withdrawal from Taipei of diplomatic recognition, the United States nevertheless remained open to Taiwanese exiles and became a home for Taiwan's democracy movement. Taiwan's successful transition to democracy has allowed for an "embrace of common values that . . . enhances our bilateral cooperation," which serves to further strengthen the TRA.

Christopher Griffin of Senator Joseph Lieberman's office spoke of the TRA's importance for the future of Taiwan's military. The Taiwanese armed forces have transformed themselves repeatedly in response to democratization, to China's military modernization, and to a changing economic and demographic landscape on Taiwan. As Taiwan's military continues its transformation and Taipei modernizes its defense strategy, the TRA allows for the United States to support these efforts. "We should support their policymaking efforts, we should support their procurement efforts by developing a more consistent, predictable system, and we should have greater personnel exchanges at senior levels," Griffin said. "Taiwan is and should remain the linchpin of U.S. security commitments in Asia."

--MICHAEL MAZZA

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