What Shapes Taiwan-related Legislation in U.S. Congress?. Issue 136 (4th July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lin, Gang; Zhou, Wenxing; Wu, Weixu
• Is Part Of: Journal of contemporary China. Volume 31:Issue 136(2022)
• Page Start: 609
• Page End: 625
• Publication Date: 2022-07-04
• Subjects: China -- Periodicals; China -- Politics and government -- 1976- -- Periodicals; Chine -- Périodiques; Chine -- Politique et gouvernement -- 1976- -- Périodiques; 306.0951
• DOI: 10.1080/10670564.2021.1985840
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1067-0564

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Through a quantitative analysis of Taiwan–related legislation between 1979 and 2020, the article finds that the degree of Taiwan–related legislation is significantly correlated with the degree of tension in U.S.—China relations. While a deteriorating cross–Taiwan Strait relationship is clearly associated with the increasing legislative activities for the sake of Taiwan, an improving relationship from the state of fair to good cannot guarantee a decrease of such activities. A unified government and the extent of the Taiwan lobby are both helpful in passing pro–Taiwan acts but statistically insignificant. A content analysis of pro–Taiwan bills approved by the Trump administration suggests a creeping movement to "normalize" U.S–Taiwan relations with congressional activism and the less-restrained White House as a co–engine.