Democrats divided over Washington's Taiwan policy

Democratic lawmakers have displayed discord within the Democratic Party over US foreign policy in regard to Chinese Taipei (Taiwan).

The Hill reported on Friday that Congress seeks to increase American military and diplomatic support for Taipei despite the rift between party members.

Democratic US President Joe Biden and some party members behind him are said to be against establishing broad diplomatic ties with Taipei while House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the most senior US Democratic politician, shows to be in favor of US military and diplomatic support for Taipei.

Biden had even privately advised Pelosi to cancel her visit to Taipei due to the difference between the White House and Congress over Taipei policy.

The Hill reported that the Democratic discord over the Taiwan policy was put on display this week with a Senate committee vote on legislation that would increase American military and diplomatic support for Taipei.

Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee were divided on the issue, with those against broadening ties saying on Thursday that it risked undermining Washington’s decades-long “one China policy", further irking Beijing officials. 

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), who was one of four senators opposed to US policy in regard to Taiwan, told The Hill that while he agreed that it was about time that Washington changed its old policy toward Taipei; however, he wanted the policy change to be done in a subtle way so that it “doesn’t precipitate a conflict” with China. 

“My interest is in increasing the material support we give to Taiwan. I’m less enthusiastic about changes in law that would provide formal or quasi recognition to the government in Taiwan for changes that would push us closer to a security guarantee,” he argued.  

Meanwhile, US lawmakers have not only been considering the idea of making changes to US policy on Taiwan and the declared “one China” policy, but also, they have been considering to slap sanctions on China, Global Times reported on Tuesday.

US considering slapping sanctions on China to deter an invasion of Taipei: Report

The United States is reportedly considering slapping sanctions on China to deter Beijing from potentially taking military action against Chinese Taipei in the future.

Under the internationally-approved “one-China” policy, nearly all countries, including the US, recognize Beijing’s sovereignty over Taipei. However, in violation of its own stated policy, and in an attempt to unnerve Beijing, Washington continues to court the secessionist island, engaging in diplomatic contact with its anti-China government and supplying it with massive shipments of arms.

Global Times reported that the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations was preparing a draft of the Taiwan Policy Act of 2022, which is described as the most comprehensive restructuring of US policy toward the wayward island since the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979.

The Chinese paper cited experts on the matter who warned that if the controversial bill gets passed, it will lead to the cancellation of the US one-China policy and that China will take strong countermeasures.

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