Whereas the people of Taiwan have established a free, open, pluralistic, and democratic society; Whereas the people of Taiwan have conducted 7 democratic Presidential elections yielding 3 peaceful transfers of power, successive parliamentary elections, multiple nationwide referenda, and numerous local elections; Whereas Taiwan and its outlying islands have never been under the jurisdiction or control of the Communist regime in Beijing, which continues to illegitimately claim sovereignty over Taiwan and its people; Whereas Communist China has weaponized the so-called One China Policy to block Taiwan’s membership and full participation in international organizations and events ranging from the United Nations and the World Health Organization to the Olympic Games; Whereas the so-called One China Policy is obsolete, does not serve the people of Taiwan or the United States, and fails to reflect the obvious reality that Taiwan has been a sovereign and independent country for over 70 years; Whereas Taiwan maintains diplomatic, cultural, and economic links with several countries around the world, demonstrating its clear and indisputable independence from the People’s Republic of China; Whereas Taiwan and the United States maintained normal diplomatic relations and a Mutual Defense Treaty until President Carter abruptly abandoned both without the approval of Congress in 1979; Whereas Congress responded by adopting the landmark, bipartisan Taiwan Relations Act, codifying in law the basis for continued friendly relations between the people of the United States and Taiwan; Whereas former President Reagan strengthened ties with Taiwan by issuing the Six Assurances , noting that The United States has not altered its position regarding sovereignty over Taiwan , underscoring that Communist Chinese claims of sovereignty over Taiwan have never been accepted by the United States