Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
Washington (October 20, 2021) – Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Chair of the East Asia Subcommittee of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) today introduced the Taiwan Actions Supporting Security by Undertaking Regular Engagements (Taiwan ASSURE) Act, bipartisan legislation that invests in stability measures to lower the risk of conflict in the Taiwan Strait by supporting dialogues to mitigate misunderstandings and promote transparency. High levels of military activity in and around the Taiwan Strait over the last year have increased the possibility of accidents and inadvertent escalation between militaries operating in the region. The legislation also authorizes funds to support an expansion of the Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF), which allows Taiwan to share its expertise on issues from public health to disaster relief with international partners.
“We must find ways to lower tensions and avoid miscalculation in the Taiwan Strait,” said Senator Markey. “This legislation will invest in crisis stability measures as an essential part of the United States’ regional security strategy with the goal of avoiding armed conflict. Consistent with our commitments under the Taiwan Relations Act, the United States must continue to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the international community and help the country withstand cross-Strait coercion, while taking clear action to avoid conflict in the region.”
The Taiwan ASSURE Act would:
- Authorize funds to support existing Track 1.5 and Track 2 strategic dialogues facilitated by independent non-profit organizations in which participants meet to discuss regional stability issues.
- Authorize funds to double U.S. support for the multilateral Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF), which provides a platform for Taiwan to share its expertise with global partners by funding $6 million per year for fiscal years 2022 through 2025.
- Require the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of State, to submit a report evaluating the feasibility of establishing a partnership between the U.S. National Guard and Taiwan’s Reserve Command.
- Require a report from the Department of State, in coordination with the Department of Defense, detailing the military-to-military dialogues and confidence-building measures, as well as bilateral and multilateral diplomatic engagements, on cross-Strait issues between the U.S. and the government of China over the last 10 years.
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