Taiwan should pursue further integration with the United States, argues Yang Sen-hong
Taiwan News
Date: 2019/01/07
By: Yang Sen-hong 楊憲宏
(Image from Flickr user Kevin Harber)
In the 40 years since the Taiwan Relations Act was enacted by the U.S. Congress, Taiwan-U.S. relations have transcended ordinary bilateral relations to become a ‘special relationship’ similar to ‘family bonds.’ While ordinary relations can wane and break off, the Taiwan-U.S. relationship is enshrined in U.S. law, giving the relationship exceptional stability.
Although Taiwan is separate from the U.S., the relationship between the two is like that of a close family. The U.S. under the Trump administration has enacted new laws in support of Taiwan, like the Taiwan Travel Act and the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act. Other pro-Taiwan legislation, like the Taiwan International Participation Act, submitted by Republican Cory Gardner and Democrat Edward J. Markey, has graced the Senate floor. These laws suggest that the U.S. has an almost jurisdictional interest in Taiwan. That is to say, the U.S. already has capacity to directly govern Taiwan at the national level, which is under the tiger’s mouth.
In the future, Taiwan should formulate its own “U.S. Relations Law” to reflect the special bilateral relationship. Direct dialogue between Taiwan and the U.S. should take place, to clearly explain Taiwan’s position and willingness to collaborate.
Before such a law emerges, Taiwan can do a number of things. First, the U.S. dollar should be declared as legal tender, and could be used in parallel with the new Taiwan dollar. Second, American English should be declared an official language of Taiwan at all levels. Third, every municipality should plan to create special economic areas with a high standard of English to entice foreign investment and international NGOs to set up shop in Taiwan. This will help to permit Taiwan’s participation in the United Nations as an NGO entity. [FULL STORY]
