US Anti-China Taiwan Policy Act of 2022

by Stephen Lendman

Last January, HR 6443: Arm Taiwan Act of 2022 was introduced.

What hasn't been passed by Congress or enacted into law was one among other shots across the bow that moves toward undermining US relations with China by calling the country a threat to Taiwan and other US interests.

The Strengthen Taiwan's Security Act of 2022, introduced in late May, followed the same hostile pattern — as did earlier US legislation.

The latest anti-China action came Friday.

GOP Senator Lindsey Graham and undemocratic Dem Senator Bob Menendez — both pro-war, anti-peace, anti-rule of law neocon extremists — introduced the Taiwan Policy Act of 2022.

Driving another stake into the heart of normalized Sino/US relations, new legislation — combined with other US hostile to China measures — is another step toward undermining bilateral ties altogether.

More sanctions and additional hostile legislation are likely ahead, perhaps similar to all-out war on Russia by other means.

Menendez once again turned truth on its head, falsely accusing China of "seek(ing) to coerce and isolate Taiwan (sic)," adding:

"There should be no doubt or ambiguity about the depth and strength of our determination to stand with the people of Taiwan and their democracy." 

"The danger will only grow worse if we show weakness in the face of Chinese threats and aggression toward Taiwan (sic)."

According to Graham's perversion of reality:

A nonexistent Beijing threat "will only grow worse if we show weakness in the face of Chinese threats and aggression toward Taiwan."

The measure's introduction followed the fake Biden's threat of war on China to defend Taiwan militarily if the empire of lies decides to push things this far.

Longstanding US one-China policy is dissolving in real time.

Calling Taiwan a "major non-NATO ally," the newly introduced measure calls for providing its ruling authorities with $4.5 billion in military funding over the next four years — to deter nonexistent "acts of aggression" by Beijing.

The measure also calls for renaming Taiwan's de facto US embassy in Washington the Taiwan Representative Office.

Last Sunday at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, China's State Councilor and Defense Minister, General Wei Fenghe, stressed the following:

"Peaceful reunification (with Taiwan) is the greatest wish of the Chinese people, and we have the utmost sincerity and are willing to make greatest efforts to achieve that," adding: 

"We are still making every effort with the greatest sincerities to deliver peaceful reunification now."

"The Taiwan question arose out of the weakness and chaos of the Chinese nation and is a legacy of China's civil war, but it will surely be resolved as the Chinese nation achieves its rejuvenation."

"Let me make this clear."

"If anyone dares to split Taiwan out of China, we will not hesitate to fight."

"We will fight at all costs. We will fight to the very end. This is the only choice for China."

Reversing longstanding one-China Sino/US policy since Richard Nixon visited Beijing in 1972 — and three Joint Communiques that followed — Trump changed things by saying:

"Everything is under negotiation (with Beijing) including one China."

Chinaphobe Pompeo went further, saying:

"I am lifting all (US) self-imposed restrictions" on Washington's one China policy.

Henceforth, US regimes "should consider all 'contact guidelines' regarding relations with Taiwan previously issued by the Department of State under authorities delegated to the Secretary of State to be null and void."

"Additionally, any and all sections of the Foreign Affairs Manual or Foreign Affairs Handbook that convey authorities or otherwise purport to regulate executive branch engagement with Taiwan via any entity other than the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) are also hereby voided."

The Biden regime and Dem-controlled 117th Congress is following much the same policy.

Time and again, China's Foreign Ministry made clear what it stressed last month, saying:

"There is only one China in the world." 

"Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory." 

"The PRC government is the sole legal government representing the whole of China." 

"This is a universally-recognized norm governing international relations and common consensus of the international community."

"The US made solemn commitments on the Taiwan question, and the one-China principle in three China-US joint communiques."

"It should stop engaging in political manipulation of Taiwan-related issues and containing China with the Taiwan question."

Along with billions of dollars in weapons, the Taiwan Policy Act of 2022 designates the island a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA).

The designation authorizes additional cooperation in areas of trade and security.

The empire of lies is playing with fire by its hostile policies toward Russia, China and Iran.

While it's unclear how far its willing to push things in attempting to advance its imperium, the risk of going too far against these countries or others is ominously high.

A Final Comment

On Thursday, Taiwan's foreign ministry spokeswoman, Joanne Ou, admitted the following:

"Regardless of (whether Dems or Republicans control the White House and/or Congress), long-time practice for our representative office in the US (includes) hir(ing) public relations firms (lobbyists) to assist us in strengthening ties with the US."

The only thing surprising about her admission was publicly stating what most often is left unsaid.

US/Taiwanese ties strengthened during Trump's tenure and currently remain strong.

According to a US OpenSecrets investigation, Taiwan's so-called Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) spent around $3.2 million for lobbying in 2017, Trump's first year in office.

After undemocratic Dems usurped power by brazen election fraud, Taiwanese lobbying focused on them over Republicans.

According to the Washington-based think tank Center for International Policy last year, Taiwanese foreign ministry officials spent years pursuing policies adopted by Republicans under Trump, now continued under Dems, including US arms sales.