U.S. Senate passes bill seeking to remove limits on Taiwan engagement

Washington, Nov. 19 (CNA) The U.S. Senate on Tuesday passed the Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act, which requires the State Department to regularly review and update the rules governing U.S. engagement with Taiwan.

The bill, which was passed without objection, directs the State Department to "identify opportunities and plans to lift self-imposed restrictions on relations with Taiwan," according to the U.S. Congress website.

The bill also requires that the guidelines take into account that Taiwan is "governed by a representative government peacefully constituted through free and fair elections."

The bipartisan act was jointly introduced in February by Ann Wagner, the late Gerry Connolly, and Ted Lieu, and it passed the U.S. House of Representatives in May.

After the United States ended diplomatic relations with the Republic of China (Taiwan) in 1979, the U.S. Department of State set red lines governing contact between American and Taiwanese officials, and the act's central purpose is to undo those restrictions.

The act would require the State Department to assess on a two-yearly basis whether current guidelines can deepen and expand U.S.-Taiwan relations and reflect the value and importance of the bilateral relationship.

The act will take effect once President Donald Trump signs it into law.