The support for Taiwan shown in the U.S. Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 is deeply appreciated by the government and people, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said March 12.
Signed into law by U.S. President Joe Biden the day before, the spending bill stipulates that “none of the funds made available by this Act should be used to create, procure, or display any map that inaccurately depicts the territory and social and economic system of Taiwan and the islands or island groups administered by Taiwan authorities.”
The legislation also authorizes US$3 million for use under the Taiwan-U.S. Global Cooperation and Training Framework and calls for the U.S. secretary of state to submit a report to Congress within 90 days on the feasibility of creating a Taiwan scholars program.
According to the MOFA, the bill is the first signed into law by a U.S. president to ban inaccurate maps of Taiwan and its administrative areas, thus underscoring the recognition by both the U.S. executive and legislative branches that Taiwan is not part of China. Building on a robust foundation, the government will continue to expand Taiwan-U.S. relations, it added.
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the MOFA said “We welcome enactment of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022. The provision stating that no funds should be used to create, procure or display maps inaccurately depicting Taiwan is appreciated. Our thanks to the Biden administration & Congress for backing #Taiwan-#US ties.” (SFC-E)
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