Washington, DC - Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity, introduced the Taiwan International Participation Act of 2018 (TIPA). The legislation establishes that it’s United States policy to support Taiwan’s participation in appropriate international organizations.

“The United States has an obligation to do everything it can to strengthen Taiwan’s international standing,” said Gardner. “This bipartisan legislation will help ensure that major international organizations do not turn a blind eye to our ally Taiwan simply because of China’s bullying tactics.”

“Taiwan has long been an active and productive contributor in international organizations that do not require statehood,” said Senator Markey. “Taiwan’s participation should continue, as we have a broader responsibility to our allies and partners to ensure coercion does not become the norm in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.”

The legislation is in response to unprecedented pressure international organizations are facing from nations like China to exclude Taiwan from organizations, including International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), and the World Health Organization (WHO). The World Health Assembly (WHA) is taking place right now in Geneva and due to pressure from China, Taiwan was not invited to participate again this year. Taiwan has participated as an observer to this body from 2009 until 2017, when it did not receive an invitation.

Additionally, the legislation instructs U.S. representatives in international organizations to use the voice and vote of the U.S. to support Taiwan’s inclusion, along with directing the President or his designees to raise Taiwan’s participation in appropriate international organizations in all bilateral engagements with China.

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