Amidst the increasingly contentious election campaign in the U.S. the Democrats and Republicans have declared their party platforms regarding issues of major consequence for Asia.
The Democratic Party contains 19 lines dealing with Asia, 11 of them on Taiwan.
By contract the Republican Party has 98 lines dealing with Asia,
15 of them on the Taiwan Relations Act and 29 dealing with China. Important countries have become independent, among them Taiwan. Treated as separate from China, Taiwan is listed ahead of China.
The Democratic Party Platform just cites the "One China Policy" and the "Taiwan Relations Act" in a general way and also expresses support for the status quo in cross strait ties saying that this was beneficial for the people of Taiwan and in harmony with their wishes.
It is also the peaceful way of resolving the issue.
On August 31 I wrote here that approximately 300,000 people were in attendance at a rally in Taiwan regarding compromises on Taiwan's sovereignty. The Democrats have it wrong.
Republican Party policies are more detailed when it comes to cross strait ties. They warn China not to act recklessly against Taiwan. Under the "Taiwan Relations Act" the U.S. is obliged to help defend Taiwan. The policies state that the U.S. should help Taiwan join the World Health Organization and other international bodies.
The Republican Party platform does not cite the "One China Policy" but states that the U.S. would abide by the "Taiwan Relations Act."
Taiwan is a model of a sound democracy and economy, the Republican Party platform says that the U.S. should continue to develop ties with Taiwan.
The Republican Party especially emphasizes that Taiwan is a faithful friend and that the U.S. should support its democracy by selling defensive weaponry and its bid to join the WHO, the United Nations and other international bodies.
Read the full article here "On Taiwan, Republican platform more detailed than Democrats" from Taiwan News
