By Nikki Dong and Alex Myslinski
U.S. House Passes Pacific Partnership Act
The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed an act aiming to strengthen cooperation with Taiwan and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) on September 9. The Pacific Partnership Act, introduced by U.S. Representative Ed Case (D-HI), requires the President and Secretary of State to develop an Indo-Pacific partnership strategy focusing on regional vulnerabilities to threats such as natural disasters, foreign military actions, economic coercion, and corruption.
On the same day, the House also passed the Taiwan Conflict Deterrence Act, aiming to deter Chinese aggression toward Taiwan. Should Beijing attack Taiwan, it would require the U.S. government to publish information about Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials’ “illicit” financial assets. The act would also restrict financial services for “certain immediate family of such officials.” Although the bills have cleared the House, they face a narrow window for approval by the U.S. Senate, given the U.S. presidential elections in November and a Congressional recess in October.
Allies Advocate for Taiwan at UN
During the United Nations Summit of the Future, held September 22-23 alongside the UN General Assembly, four of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies urged the world body to restore membership for Taiwan. Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine, Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr., Eswatini Prime Minister Russell Dlamini, and Paraguayan President Santiago Pena all called for Taiwan’s participation.
Heine emphasized Taiwan’s role as a “key partner” and called for its meaningful participation in the UN. Whipps noted the irony of Taiwan’s exclusion despite the UN’s theme of “leaving no one behind” and pointed to a misinterpretation of UN Resolution 2758, which recognizes the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as the representative of China in the UN but does not explicitly mention Taiwan. Other leaders praised Taiwan’s contributions to global health, innovation, and economic development.
Earlier in September, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell addressed China’s misinterpretation of United Nations Resolution 2758 during a Congressional hearing, accusing China of using the resolution to undermine Taiwan’s status at the UN. Campbell emphasized that while the resolution recognized the PRC as the sole representative of “China,” it did not address Taiwan’s sovereignty. He further reiterated U.S. support for Taiwan, reaffirming policies based on the Taiwan Relations Act, the “Six Assurances,” and three Joint Communiqués.
Defense Conference Raises Arms Sales Concerns
The 2024 U.S.-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference, held September 22-24 in Philadelphia, focused on strengthening U.S.-Taiwan defense collaboration amid increasing threats from China. The event was organized by the U.S.-Taiwan Business Council (USTBC) and featured key figures from both governments, including Taiwan’s Vice Minister of Defense Hsu Yen-pu and U.S. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Jedidiah Royal.
The agenda covered five major themes: countering China’s “gray zone” tactics, enhancing global coalition building, improving Taiwan’s defense resources, preparing for coercive scenarios like blockades, and the potential impact of the 2024 U.S. presidential election on arms sales.
One issue of discussion was the decline in U.S. arms sales to Taiwan under the Biden administration, with only US$5.71 billion authorized so far, the lowest figure since 2001. USTBC President Rupert Hammond-Chambers said in a news release that the reasons for the decline are unclear, as the U.S. government says the threat to Taiwan has never been greater and Taiwan’s military budget is expanding.
China Halts Tariff Exemptions
Starting September 25, China is suspending the import tariff exemption policy for 34 agricultural products originating in Taiwan. In response, Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council condemned the decision as a “weaponization” of trade, arguing that it harms the interests of farmers and fishermen on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
Taiwan’s Minister of Agriculture Chen Junne-jih noted that the impact of the policy change will be minimal. Although the removal of tariff exemptions will lead to an average tariff of around 15%, he emphasized that this does not amount to a ban on Taiwanese products. Chen reaffirmed Taiwan’s commitment to the Chinese market, expressing confidence that the impact of the tariff changes could be mitigated through market segmentation. He added that his ministry would actively promote Taiwan’s high-quality agricultural products in markets beyond China.
Chinese Man Sentenced for Illegal Entry
The Shilin District Court on September 18 sentenced a Chinese national to eight months in prison for violating Taiwanese immigration law after he drove a speedboat near the mouth of the Tamsui River in June. According to Taiwan’s Immigration Act, individuals who enter without the required permits can face imprisonment for up to five years and/or fines of up to NT$500,000.
The 60-year-old suspect said he sought to flee to Taiwan “for democracy.” The court noted that he had taken steps to voluntarily surrender to authorities, which was considered a mitigating factor in his sentencing. Just days earlier, a 30-year-old Chinese man was apprehended on the coast of New Taipei City and transported to a local hospital for treatment due to dehydration after crossing the Taiwan Strait in a rubber dinghy and allegedly entering Taiwan illegally.
China Freezes Assets of Nine U.S. Arms Firms
U.S. defense companies due to their sales of military equipment to Taiwan. The ministry is also prohibiting all transactions between these companies and China-based individuals or entities, effective immediately. Spokesperson Lin Jian stated that the U.S. arms sales “seriously violate the ‘One China principle’” and “infringe upon China’s sovereignty and security interests.”
China has described the actions as countermeasures against ACT1 Federal, Cubic Corp., Exovera, Planate Management Group, S3 AeroDefense, Sierra Nevada Corp., Stick Rudder Enterprises LLC, TCOM Ltd, and TextOre.
The measures followed the United States’ announcement of a US$228 million sale of aircraft spare parts to Taiwan. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense stated that the arms deal would help ensure the island’s combat readiness, particularly as China’s “gray-zone” tactics continue to put pressure on Taiwan’s air and maritime borders.
NDC Reveals New Elite Visa
The National Development Council (NDC) has announced plans to introduce a “Global Elite Card” to attract more foreign professionals. The initiative will allow foreign professionals with an annual salary of more than NT$6 million (US$189,000) to apply for residency within one year of living in Taiwan.
At a briefing during the Executive Yuan’s weekly cabinet meeting on September 19, NDC Deputy Minister Kao Shien-quey highlighted concerns that Taiwan could face a labor shortage of 350,000 by 2028. Premier Cho Jung-tai stressed the need for increased government investment in skill development, focusing on both fostering domestic talent and recruiting from abroad. He highlighted the importance of these initiatives in driving Taiwan’s AI and digital transformation, as well as in supporting the country’s innovation-led economic growth model.
Foreign professionals with a monthly income exceeding NT$160,000 (US$5,000) are eligible to apply for a Gold Card, which grants the opportunity to apply for permanent residency after three years rather than five. The proposed amendment, introducing the Global Elite Card, would ease requirements further, permitting holders to be eligible for permanent residency and social benefits such as long-term care after just one year.
Constitutional Court Upholds Death Penalty
The Constitutional Court on September 20 ruled that the death penalty remains constitutional but must include greater protections. The court’s decision followed a legal challenge from 37 death-row inmates. While the ruling upheld the death penalty, it introduced stricter conditions, such as requiring unanimity within the panel of judges and prohibiting executions of people with psychosocial disabilities.
Inmates who have been sentenced without unanimous decisions or for crimes not classified as “most serious” may appeal their sentencing. While this ruling improves due process, critics such as Human Rights Watch argue that it falls short of abolishing what they regard as an inherently cruel practice, urging a moratorium.
