Editing Six Assurances

{{Short description|Six key foreign policy principles of the United States regarding United States–Taiwan relations}}
The '''Six Assurances''' are six key foreign policy principles of the United States regarding [[United States–Taiwan relations]]. They were passed as unilateral U.S. clarifications to the [[Three Communiqués#Third|Third Communiqué]] between [[The United States of America|the United States]] and [[the People's Republic of China]] in 1982. They were intended to reassure both [[Taiwan]] and the [[United States Congress]] that the US would continue to support Taiwan even if it had earlier cut formal diplomatic relations.

The assurances were originally proposed by the then [[Kuomintang]] (Chinese Nationalist Party) government of the [[Republic of China]] on Taiwan during negotiations between the U.S. and the People's Republic of China.{{cn|date=June 2022}} The U.S. [[Presidency of Ronald Reagan|Reagan administration]] agreed to the assurances and informed the United States Congress of them in July 1982.

Today, the Six Assurances are part of semiformal guidelines used in conducting [[Foreign relations of Taiwan#United States|relations]] between the US and Taiwan. The assurances have been generally reaffirmed by successive U.S. administrations. Prior to 2016, they were purely informal, but in 2016, their formal content was adopted by the [[US House of Representatives]] and the [[United States Senate|Senate]] in non-binding resolutions, upgrading their status to formal but not directly enforceable.

==Text==
The [[United States House of Representatives]] passed a [[concurrent resolution]] on May 16, 2016, giving the first formal wording for the Six Assurances by more or less directly adopting how the former Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs [[John H. Holdridge]] expressed them in 1982 (which was delivered to Taiwan's President [[Chiang Ching-kuo]] by then-Director of the [[American Institute in Taiwan]] [[James R. Lilley]]):<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-concurrent-resolution/88/text/eh|title=H.Con.Res.88 - Reaffirming the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances as cornerstones of United States-Taiwan relations.|last=|first=|date=May 16, 2016|website=congress.gov|publisher=|access-date=May 19, 2016}}</ref>
# “* * * [W]e did not agree to set a date certain for ending arms sales to Taiwan”;
# “* * * [W]e see no mediation role for the United States” between Taiwan and the PRC;
# “* * *[N]or will we attempt to exert pressure on Taiwan to enter into negotiations with the PRC”;
# “* * * [T]here has been no change in our longstanding position on the issue of sovereignty over Taiwan”;
# “We have no plans to seek” revisions to the [[Taiwan Relations Act]]; and
# The [[August 17 Communiqué]] “should not be read to imply that we have agreed to engage in prior consultations with Beijing on [[US arms sales to Taiwan|arms sales to Taiwan]]”.

A similar resolution passed the [[United States Senate|Senate]] on July 6, 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-concurrent-resolution/38/text|title=S.Con.Res.38 - A concurrent resolution reaffirming the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances as cornerstones of United States-Taiwan relations.|last=|first=|date=May 16, 2016|website=congress.gov|publisher=|access-date=July 6, 2016}}</ref>

In the first version, which was introduced to Congress by Rep. [[Steve Chabot]] on October 28, 2015, the Six Assurances were proposed to be:<ref name="hconres88">{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-concurrent-resolution/88/text|title=H.Con.Res.88 - Reaffirming the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances as the cornerstone of United States-Taiwan relations |date=October 28, 2015|accessdate=April 22, 2016}}</ref>

# The United States would not set a date for termination of arms sales to Taiwan;
# The United States would not alter the terms of the Taiwan Relations Act;
# The United States would not consult with China in advance before making decisions about United States arms sales to Taiwan;
# The United States would not mediate between Taiwan and China;
# The United States would not alter its position about the sovereignty of Taiwan which was, that the question was one to be decided peacefully by the Chinese themselves, and would not pressure Taiwan to enter into negotiations with China; and
# The United States would not formally recognize Chinese sovereignty over Taiwan.

Declassified cables, sent in 1982 from the State Department, detail the Six Assurances:<ref>[https://www.ait.org.tw/declassified-cables-taiwan-arms-sales-six-assurances-1982/ Declassified Cables: Taiwan Arms Sales & Six Assurances (1982)], [[American Institute in Taiwan]]</ref>

# The United States has not agreed to set a date for ending arms sales to Taiwan.
# The United States has not agreed to consult with the PRC on arms sales to Taiwan.
# The United States will not play a mediation role between Taipei and Beijing.
# The United States has not agreed to revise the Taiwan Relations Act.
# The United States has not altered its position regarding sovereignty over Taiwan.
# The United States will not exert pressure on Taiwan to enter into negotiations with the PRC.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hartman |first1=Leigh |title=U.S. reaffirms importance of Taiwan relationship |url=https://share.america.gov/u-s-reaffirms-importance-of-taiwan-relationship/ |website=ShareAmerica |publisher=US State Department |accessdate=2 September 2020 |date=2 September 2020}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>

==Reaffirmation==
The [[State Department]] has reaffirmed the Six Assurances repeatedly.<ref>[http://2001-2009.state.gov/p/eap/rls/rm/2003/17796.htm U.S.-Taiwan Relations], [[U.S. Department of State]], February 14, 2003</ref>

On May 19, 2016, one day before [[Tsai Ing-wen]] assumed the [[President of the Republic of China|Presidency of the Republic of China]], U.S. Senators [[Marco Rubio]] ([[GOP|R]]-[[Florida|FL]]), a member of the [[Senate Foreign Relations Committee]] and [[Senate Select Committee on Intelligence]] and [[Bob Menendez]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]]-[[NJ]]), former chair of the [[Senate Foreign Relations Committee]] and co-chair of the [[Senate Taiwan Caucus]], introduced a concurrent resolution reaffirming the [[Taiwan Relations Act]] and the “Six Assurances” as cornerstones of [[United States–Taiwan relations]].<ref>[https://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/press/menendez-rubio-six-assurances-continued-foundation-of-us-taiwan-relations Menendez, Rubio: "Six Assurances" Continued Foundation of U.S.-Taiwan Relations], Senator [[Bob Menendez]], May 19, 2016</ref><ref>[http://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/mobile/press-releases?ID=A3798D0D-F6AD-4538-ADC4-B85ACDEBA04E-33k Rubio, Menendez: ‘Six Assurances’ Continued Foundation Of U.S.-Taiwan Relations], Senator [[Marco Rubio]], May 19, 2016</ref><ref>[https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-concurrent-resolution/38 S.Con.Res.38 - A concurrent resolution reaffirming the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances as cornerstones of United States-Taiwan relations.], [[Congress.gov]], May 19, 2016</ref>

The Republican Party Platform of the [[2016 Republican National Convention]] mentions the Six Assurances, stating, "We salute the people of Taiwan, with whom we share the values of democracy, human rights, a free market economy, and the rule of law. [[Taiwan–United States relations|Our relations]] will continue to be based upon the provisions of the [[Taiwan Relations Act]], and we affirm the Six Assurances given to Taiwan in 1982 by [[Ronald Reagan|President Reagan]]. We oppose any unilateral steps by either side to alter the status quo in the Taiwan Straits on the principle that all issues regarding the island’s future must be resolved peacefully, through dialogue, and be agreeable to the [[people of Taiwan]]. If China were to violate those principles, the United States, in accord with the Taiwan Relations Act, will help Taiwan defend itself. We praise efforts by the new government in Taipei to continue constructive relations across the Taiwan Strait and call on China to reciprocate. As a loyal friend of America, Taiwan has merited our strong support, including [[free trade agreement]] status, the timely sale of defensive arms including technology to build [[diesel submarines]], and full participation in the World Health Organization, International Civil Aviation Organization, and other multilateral institutions."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://prod-cdn-static.gop.com/media/documents/DRAFT_12_FINAL[1]-ben_1468872234.pdf|title=The 2016 Republican Party Platform|publisher=[[Republican National Committee]]|date=18 July 2016|accessdate=30 September 2019|page=48}}</ref>

The Asia Reassurance Initiative Act ({{USPL|115|409}}) states that it is the policy of the U.S. to enforce commitments to Taiwan consistent with the Six Assurances.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://taiwantoday.tw/news.php?unit=2,6,10,15,18&post=148030|title=Foreign Ministry thanks US for signing Asia Reassurance Initiative Act into law|publisher=[[Taiwan Today]]|date=2 January 2019|accessdate=1 September 2020}}</ref> As of September 2018, the [[Donald Trump]] administration "has stated that the U.S.-Taiwan relationship is also 'guided' by [the] 'Six Assurances'".<ref>[https://fas.org/sgp/crs/row/IF10275.pdf Taiwan: Select Political and Security Issues], [[Congressional Research Service]], September 17, 2018</ref>

In November 2020 U.S. Secretary of State [[Mike Pompeo]] stated “Taiwan has not been a part of China, and that was recognized with the work that the Reagan administration did to lay out the policies that the United States has adhered to now for three and a half decades, and done so under both administrations.” which was seen as invoking clause 5.<ref name="van der Wees 2020" >{{cite web |last1=van der Wees |first1=Gerrit |title=Has Taiwan Always Been Part of China? |url=https://thediplomat.com/2020/12/has-taiwan-always-been-part-of-china/ |website=thediplomat.com |publisher=The Diplomat |access-date=1 December 2020}}</ref>

The [[National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021]] reconfirmed the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) and the Six Assurances as the foundation for US-Taiwan relations.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chin-yeh |first1=Chiang |last2=Huang |first2=Frances |title=U.S. Congress proposes medical partnership with Taiwan |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202012040009 |website=focustaiwan.tw |date=4 December 2020 |publisher=Focus Taiwan |access-date=4 December 2020}}</ref>

On August 2, 2022, Speaker of the House, [[Nancy Pelosi]], in a statement from [[2022 visit by Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan|a visit to Taiwan]], made reference to the United States' continuing support of the TRA, Three Communiqués, and the Six Assurances.<ref>{{cite web |last=Pelosi |first=Nancy |title=Pelosi, Congressional Delegation Statement on Visit to Taiwan |url=https://www.speaker.gov/newsroom/8222-2 |website=speaker.gov |access-date=3 August 2022}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Political status of Taiwan]]
* [[Taiwan–United States relations]]
* [[Taiwan Relations Act]]
* [[Taiwan Travel Act]], passed in 2018; further strengthening ties between the United States and Taiwan

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100616205318/http://merln.ndu.edu/archivepdf/china/State/38081.pdf U.S. Department of State Press Release - Nov. 10th, 2004]
*[http://www.taiwandocuments.org/assurances.htm The "Six Assurances" to Taiwan]
*[http://www.taiwanbasic.com/nstatus/crs-report.htm The July 2007 CRS Report to Congress]
*{{unfit|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090322121513/http://www.heritage.org/Research/AsiaandthePacific/wm1653.cfm Heritage Foundation: President Reagan's Six Assurances to Taiwan and Their Meaning Today]}}
*{{unfit|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090313095931/http://www.heritage.org/Research/AsiaandthePacific/BG1352.cfm Heritage Foundation: Why the Administration Should Reaffirm the "Six Assurances" to Taiwan]}}
*[http://www.libertytimes.com.tw/2007/new/jun/20/today-fo1.htm 公投入聯國 美國反對 民進黨不退縮]

{{Cross-Strait relations}}
{{Taiwan–United States relations}}

[[Category:Taiwan–United States relations]]
[[Category:Cross-strait relations]]
[[Category:1982 in the United States]]
[[Category:1982 in Taiwan]]
[[Category:1982 documents]]
[[Category:1982 in international relations]]
[[Category:Public policy of the Reagan administration]]