Max Baucus: “I rise to discuss the provision in this bill relating to the Taiwan Relations Act and the 1982 Sino-United States Joint…”

“I rise to discuss the provision in this bill relating to the Taiwan Relations Act and the 1982 Sino-United States Joint Communique, announced in Shanghai by the Reagan administration and the Government of the People's Republic of China. While we will not consider a floor amendment relevant to the provision, it is a critical issue and one which I hope the conference committee will consider very carefully. Secretary of State Warren Christopher today sent me the following letter explaining his views on the provision. He makes some important points, which I think deserve our review. The provision declares that the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 supersedes the Shanghai Communique. Using the term 'supersedes' implies that the provision repeals the communique--not only our statement of policy on arms sales, but the Chinese Government's commitment to peaceful resolution of the Taiwan issue as well. The Secretary raises a serious question about whether this action would risk undermining the present relatively peaceful situation in the Strait of Taiwan. That is a long-term consideration. We should also consider the short term, because Sino-American relations are today at a critical point.”