US ‘Taiwan Travel Act’ Strongly Opposed

US President Donald Trump signed the “Taiwan Travel Act” on March 16, triggering strong opposition from the Chinese mainland.

The Act, according to Chinese analysts, has overthrown previous bilateral documents on Taiwan issues, including the Taiwan Relations Act issued in 1979, by legally allowing exchanges between Taiwanese and American officials at various levels, including those in charge of state affairs and national defense, and by allowing Taiwanese organizations to conduct activities in the US which are accessible to US officials.

China immediately issued a statement opposing the Act. “We resolutely oppose the Taiwan Travel Act which has severely violated the One-china principle and the three Sino-us joint communiqués,” said a statement from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 17. “We now urge the US to correct the mistake and stop any potential exchanges between American and Taiwanese officials. We urge the US to cautiously deal with any issue related to Taiwan to prevent any harm to the Sino-us relationship and to the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait region,” it added.

The same day, the People's Liberation Army, the Chinese Embassy in Washington, DC, China's Taiwan Affairs Office and State media outlets like the People’s Daily, also made similar condemnations of the legislation. Chinese analysts warned that the US intended to make use of Taiwan to pin down the Chinese mainland.