TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A bipartisan group of U.S. senators introduced a resolution Tuesday (March 24) commemorating the 30th anniversary of Taiwan's first direct presidential election. The measure reaffirms American commitment to the island's democracy amid rising tensions with China. The resolution supports the Taiwan Relations Act (台灣關係法) and the Six Assurances (六項保證), the foundational frameworks governing U.S.-Taiwan relations.
Democratic Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Tim Kaine, along with Republican Sen. John Curtis, led the initiative to celebrate Taiwan's democratic milestone. Curtis stated on X, "Having lived in Taiwan during the era of martial law, I saw firsthand a society striving for greater freedom. Over the past 30 years, Taiwan's embrace of democratic elections has transformed it into one of the world's most prosperous and innovative societies."
Kaine emphasized the need for the U.S. to protect Taiwan's democracy in the face of Chinese aggression. The resolution gained support from Sens. Pete Ricketts, Jeff Merkley, and Rick Scott, highlighting broad bipartisan consensus. The U.S. House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party praised Taiwan's resilience and expressed hope for its continued endurance.
The committee stated that Taiwan's democracy remains steadfast under threat from the Chinese Communist Party. Taiwan held its first direct presidential election in 1996, marking a pivotal moment in the island's transition from authoritarian rule to vibrant democracy. ◼