A bipartisan resolution has been unveiled in both houses of the United States Congress expressing support for Taiwanese democracy, ahead of Taiwan’s 2024 presidential election on Saturday.
The House resolution was sponsored by the bipartisan co-chairs of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus, Republicans Steve Chabot and Mario Diaz-Balart, and Democrats Gerry Connolly and Albio Sires. The House resolution has at least 35 co-sponsors. An identical resolution has also been introduced in the Senate, sponsored by Republican Dan Sullivan and Democrat Tim Kaine. The Senate resolution also has at least 35 co-sponsors.
The resolution praises Taiwan’s democratic transition in the 1980s and 1990’s. It notes that Taiwan’s president and legislature have seen peaceful transfers of power between parties three times each. It says that Taiwan has set an example for the world with its self-governance while expressing concerns about election interference from China.
Taiwan Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jeff Liu (劉永健) on Thursday made a statement addressing the congressional resolutions. Liu thanked the Congress for its support of Taiwan’s democracy on the eve of the presidential elections.