,,ii #aafth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #dhac ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,october #bj 7legislative day1 ,october #ai71 #bjbj,mr4 ,rubio 7for himself and ,mr4 ,merkley7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations ,a ,,bill ,to support ,united ,states policy toward ,taiwan4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,taiwan ,relations ,reinforcement ,act of #bjbj4 #b4 ,findings ,congress makes the following findings3 7#a7 ,the ,taiwan ,relations ,act of #aigi 7,public ,law #if-h7 and the ,six ,assurances1 first articulated by ,president ,ronald ,reagan in #aihb1 are both cornerstones of ,united ,states relations with ,taiwan1 formally known as the ,republic of ,china 7,,roc74 7#b7 ,the ,people's ,republic of ,china 7,,prc7 and ,taiwan have been ruled without interruption by separate governments since #aidi1 and ,taiwan has not been subjected to rule by the ,,prc at any point since the ,,prc was first established in #aidi4 7#c7 ,the so-called ,one ,china ,policy of the ,united ,states ,government is not the same as the ,one ,china principle espoused by the ,people's ,republic of ,china4 7#d7 ,threats and actions by the ,government of the ,people's ,republic of ,china to unilaterally determine ,taiwan's future through non-peaceful means1 including the direct use of force1 military coercion1 economic boycotts or embargoes1 and efforts to internationally isolate or annex ,taiwan1 would undermine stability in the ,taiwan ,strait and are of grave concern to the ,united ,states ,government4 7#e7 ,the ,chinese ,communist ,party's 7,,ccp7 global influence operations and efforts to exert sharp power have sought to diplomatically undermine the legitimacy of the democratically elected ,government of ,taiwan1 intimidate the people of ,taiwan1 and force ,taiwan's diplomatic partners to abandon it4 7#f7 ,the force modernization program and military buildup of the ,,ccp-controlled ,people's ,liberation ,army poses a serious challenge to the balance of power in the ,indo-,pacific region1 including the ,taiwan ,strait1 and to ,united ,states national security interests as a ,pacific power4 7#g7 ,cultural and educational exchanges between the ,united ,states and ,taiwan are a key component of building and strengthening bilateral people-to-people ties and provide important1 high-quality learning opportunities for students interested in politics1 history1 language1 and culture4 7#h7 ,taiwan is an important trading partner for the ,united ,states1 representing the #ajth largest market for ,united ,states exports in #bjai4 7#i7 ,april #aj1 #bjbj1 marked the #dast anniversary of the ,taiwan ,relations ,act of #aigi 7,public ,law #if-h74 #c4 ,sense of ,congress ,it is the sense of ,congress that-- 7#a7 the ,united ,states ,government should strengthen cooperation with the military of ,taiwan under the framework of the ,taiwan ,relations ,act 7,public ,law #if-h7 and the ,six ,assurances with consideration of the ongoing military buildup in ,china and the imbalance in the security environment in the ,taiwan ,strait2 7#b7 the ,united ,states ,government should urge ,taiwan to increase its own investments in military capabilities that support implementation of its asymmetric defense strategy2 7#c7 the ,united ,states ,government should promote dignity and respect for its ,taiwanese counterparts1 who represent more than #bc1jjj1jjj citizens1 by using the full range of diplomatic and financial tools available to promote ,taiwan's inclusion and meaningful participation in international organizations as well as in bilateral and multilateral security summits1 military exercises1 and economic dialogues and forums2 and 7#d7 in order to deepen economic ties and advance the interests of the ,united ,states1 the ,united ,states ,government should prioritize the negotiation of a free trade agreement with ,taiwan that provides high levels of labor rights and environmental protection as soon as possible4 #d4 ,a twenty-first century partnership with ,taiwan 7a7 ,statement of policy ,it is the policy of the ,united ,states to create and execute a plan for enhancing its relationship with ,taiwan by forming a robust partnership that meets the challenges of the #bast century1 fully accounts for ,taiwan's democratization1 and remains faithful to ,united ,states principles and values in keeping with the ,taiwan ,relations ,act and the ,six ,assurances4 7b7 ,interagency ,taiwan policy task force ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,president shall create an interagency ,taiwan policy task force consisting of senior officials from the ,office of the ,president1 the ,national ,security ,council1 the ,department of ,state1 the ,department of ,defense1 the ,department of the ,treasury1 the ,department of ,commerce1 and the ,office of the ,united ,states ,trade ,representative4 7c7 ,report ,the interagency ,taiwan ,policy ,task ,force established under subsection 7b7 shall submit an annual unclassified report with a classified annex to the appropriate congressional committees outlining policy and actions to be taken to create and execute a plan for enhancing our partnership and relations with ,taiwan4 #e4 ,american ,institute in ,taiwan ,the position of ,director of the ,american ,institute in ,taiwan's ,taipei office shall be subject to the advice and consent of the ,senate1 and effective upon enactment of this ,act shall have the title of ,representative4 #f4 ,supporting ,united ,states educational and exchange programs with ,taiwan 7a7 ,statement of policy ,it is the policy of the ,united ,states to support ,united ,states educational and exchange programs with ,taiwan1 including by authorizing such sum as may be necessary to promote the study of ,chinese language1 culture1 history1 and politics in ,taiwan4 7b7 ,establishment of the ,united ,states-,taiwan ,cultural ,exchange ,foundation ,the ,secretary of ,state shall establish a new ,united ,states-,taiwan ,cultural ,exchange ,foundation1 an independent nonprofit dedicated to deepening ties between the future leaders of ,taiwan and the ,united ,states4 ,the ,foundation shall work with ,state and local school districts and educational institutions to send high school and university students to ,taiwan to study the ,chinese language1 culture1 history1 politics1 and other relevant subjects4 7c7 ,partnering ,with ,,tecro ,state and local school districts and educational institutions such as public universities shall partner with the ,taipei ,economic and ,cultural ,representative ,office 7,,tecro7 in the ,united ,states to establish programs to promote an increase in educational and cultural exchanges4 7d7 ,report ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,state shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on cooperation between the ,united ,states ,government and the ,taiwanese government to create an alternative to ,confucius ,institutes in an effort to promote freedom1 democracy1 universal values1 culture1 and history in conjunction with ,chinese language education4 #g4 ,participation of ,taiwan in international organizations 7a7 ,statement of policy ,it is the policy of the ,united ,states to promote ,taiwan's inclusion and meaningful participation in meetings held by international organizations4 7b7 ,support for meaningful participation ,the ,permanent ,representative of the ,united ,states to the ,united ,nations and other relevant ,united ,states officials should actively support ,taiwan's membership and meaningful participation in international organizations4 7c7 ,report ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,state shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on ,china's efforts at the ,united ,nations and other international bodies to block ,taiwan's meaningful participation and inclusion and recommend appropriate responses to be taken by the ,united ,states4 #h4 ,invitation of ,taiwanese counterparts to high-level bilateral and multilateral forums and exercises 7a7 ,statement of policy ,it is the policy of the ,united ,states to invite ,taiwanese counterparts to participate in high-level bilateral and multilateral summits1 military exercises1 and economic dialogues and forums4 7b7 ,sense of ,congress ,it is the sense of ,congress that-- 7#a7 the ,united ,states ,government should invite ,taiwan to regional dialogues on issues of mutual concern2 7#b7 the ,united ,states ,government and ,taiwanese counterparts should resume meetings under the ,united ,states-,taiwan ,trade and ,investment ,framework ,agreement and reach a bilateral free trade agreement2 7#c7 the ,united ,states ,government should invite ,taiwan to participate in bilateral and multilateral military training exercises2 and 7#d7 the ,united ,states ,government and ,taiwanese counterparts should engage in a regular and routine strategic bilateral dialogue on arms sales in accordance with ,foreign ,military ,sales mechanisms1 and the ,united ,states ,government should support export licenses for direct commercial sales supporting ,taiwan's indigenous defensive capabilities4 #i4 ,report on ,taiwan ,travel ,act 7a7 ,list of high-,level visits ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and annually thereafter1 the ,secretary of ,state shall1 in accordance with the ,taiwan ,travel ,act 7,public ,law #aae-ace71 submit to the appropriate congressional committees a list of high-level officials from the ,united ,states ,government that have traveled to ,taiwan and a list of high-level officials of ,taiwan that have entered the ,united ,states4 7b7 ,annual report ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and annually thereafter1 the ,secretary of ,state shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on implementation of the ,taiwan ,travel ,act4 #aj4 ,prohibitions against undermining ,united ,states policy regarding ,taiwan 7a7 ,finding ,congress finds that the efforts by the ,government of the ,people's ,republic of ,china 7,,prc7 and the ,chinese ,communist ,party to compel private ,united ,states businesses1 corporations1 and nongovernmental entities to use ,,prc-mandated language to describe the relationship between ,taiwan and ,china are an intolerable attempt to enforce political censorship globally and should be considered an attack on the fundamental underpinnings of all democratic and free societies1 including the constitutionally protected right to freedom of speech4 7b7 ,sense of ,congress ,it is the sense of ,congress that the ,united ,states ,government1 in coordination with ,united ,states businesses and nongovernmental entities1 should formulate a code of conduct for interacting with the ,government of the ,people's ,republic of ,china and the ,chinese ,communist ,party and affiliated entities1 the aim of which is-- 7#a7 to counter ,,prc sharp power operations1 which threaten free speech1 academic freedom1 and the normal operations of ,united ,states businesses and nongovernmental entities2 and 7#b7 to counter ,,prc efforts to censor the way the world refers to issues deemed sensitive to the ,government of the ,people's ,republic of ,china and ,chinese ,communist ,party leaders1 including issues related to ,taiwan1 ,tibet1 the ,tiananmen ,square ,massacre1 and the mass internment of ,uyghurs and other ,turkic ,muslims1 among many other issues4 7c7 ,prohibition on recognition of ,,prc claims to sovereignty over ,taiwan 7#a7 ,sense of ,congress ,it is the sense of ,congress that-- 7,a7 issues related to the sovereignty of ,taiwan are for the people of ,taiwan to decide through the democratic process they have established2 7,b7 the dispute between the ,people's ,republic of ,china and ,taiwan must be resolved peacefully and with the assent of the people of ,taiwan2 7,c7 the primary obstacle to peaceful resolution is the authoritarian nature of the ,,prc political system under one-party rule of the ,chinese ,communist ,party1 which is fundamentally incompatible with ,taiwan's democracy2 and 7,d7 any attempt to coerce the people of ,taiwan to accept a political arrangement that would subject them to direct or indirect rule by the ,,prc1 including a one country1 two systems framework1 would constitute a grave challenge to ,united ,states security interests in the region4 7#b7 ,statement of policy ,it is the policy of the ,united ,states to oppose any attempt by the ,,prc authorities to unilaterally impose a timetable or deadline for unification on ,taiwan4 7#c7 ,prohibition on recognition of ,,prc claims without assent of people of taiwan ,no department or agency of the ,united ,states ,government may formally or informally recognize ,,prc claims to sovereignty over ,taiwan without the assent of the people of ,taiwan1 as expressed directly through the democratic process4 7d7 ,strategy ,to protect ,united ,states businesses and nongovernmental entities from coercion ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,state1 in consultation with the ,secretary of ,commerce1 the ,secretary of the ,treasury1 and the heads of other relevant ,federal agencies1 shall submit an unclassified report1 with a classified annex if necessary1 to protect ,united ,states businesses and nongovernmental entities from sharp power operations1 including coercion and threats that lead to censorship or self-censorship1 or which compel compliance with political or foreign policy positions of the ,government of the ,people's ,republic of ,china and the ,chinese ,communist ,party4 ,the strategy shall include the following elements3 7#a7 ,information on efforts by the ,government of the ,people's ,republic of ,china to censor the websites of ,united ,states airlines1 hotels1 and other businesses regarding the relationship between ,taiwan and the ,people's ,republic of ,china4 7#b7 ,information on efforts by the ,government of the ,people's ,republic of ,china to target ,united ,states nongovernmental entities through sharp power operations intended to weaken support for ,taiwan4 7#c7 ,information on ,united ,states ,government efforts to counter the threats posed by ,chinese state-sponsored propaganda and disinformation1 including information on best practices1 current successes1 and existing barriers to responding to this threat4 7#d7 ,details of any actions undertaken to create a code of conduct pursuant to subsection 7b7 and a timetable for implementation4 #aa4 ,strategy to respond to sharp power operations targeting ,taiwan 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,state shall develop and implement a strategy to respond to sharp power operations and the united front campaign supported by the ,government of the ,people's ,republic of ,china and the ,chinese ,communist ,party that are directed toward persons or entities in ,taiwan4 7b7 ,elements ,the strategy required under subsection 7a7 shall include the following elements3 7#a7 ,development of a response to ,,prc propaganda and disinformation campaigns and cyber-intrusions targeting ,taiwan1 including-- 7,a7 assistance in building the capacity of the ,taiwan government and private-sector entities to document and expose propaganda and disinformation supported by the ,government of the ,people's ,republic of ,china1 the ,chinese ,communist ,party1 or affiliated entities2 7,b7 assistance to enhance the ,taiwan government's ability to develop a whole-of-government strategy to respond to sharp power operations1 including election interference2 and 7,c7 media training for ,taiwan officials and other ,taiwan entities targeted by disinformation campaigns4 7#b7 ,development of a response to political influence operations that includes an assessment of the extent of influence exerted by the ,government of the ,people's ,republic of ,china and the ,chinese ,communist ,party in ,taiwan on local political parties1 financial institutions1 media organizations1 and other entities4 7#c7 ,support for exchanges and other technical assistance to strengthen the ,taiwan legal system's ability to respond to sharp power operations4 7#d7 ,establishment of a coordinated partnership1 through the ,global ,cooperation and ,training ,framework1 with like-minded governments to share data and best practices with the ,government of ,taiwan on ways to address sharp power operations supported by the ,government of the ,people's ,republic of ,china and the ,chinese ,communist ,party4 #ab4 ,report on deterrence in the ,taiwan ,strait ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and annually thereafter1 the ,secretary of ,state and the ,secretary of ,defense shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a joint report that assesses the military posture of ,taiwan and the ,united ,states as it specifically pertains to the deterrence of military conflict and conflict readiness in the ,taiwan ,strait4 ,in light of the changing military balance in the ,taiwan ,strait1 the report should include analysis of whether current ,taiwan and ,united ,states policies sufficiently deter efforts to determine the future of ,taiwan by other than peaceful means4 #ac4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,appropriate congressional committees ,the term appropriate congressional committees means the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#b7 ,sharp power ,the term sharp power means the coordinated and often concealed application of disinformation1 media manipulation1 economic coercion1 cyber-intrusions1 targeted investments1 and academic censorship that is intended-- 7,a7 to corrupt political and nongovernmental institutions and interfere in democratic elections and encourage self-censorship of views at odds with those of the ,government of the ,people's ,republic of ,china or the ,chinese ,communist ,party2 or 7,b7 to foster attitudes1 behavior1 decisions1 or outcomes in ,taiwan and elsewhere that support the interests of the ,government of the ,people's ,republic of ,china or the ,chinese ,communist ,party4