OPINION:
Kudos to the top congressional members who recently proposed bills to support Taiwan’s observer status in the International Civil Aviation Organization. The bills were proposed by Sen. Robert Menendez, New Jersey Democrat and chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, and Rep. Edward R. Royce, California Republican and chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
As mentioned by Mr. Menendez, Taiwan is one of the world’s major air-passenger and cargo markets, and it provides air-traffic control service to more than 1.2 million flights per year. Last year, Taiwan joined the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, and as a result, travel between Taiwan and the United States will increase rapidly.
Allowing the government of Taiwan membership in the International Civil Aviation Organization will ensure that it has access to the technical information it needs to continue to conform its civil aviation practices to evolving international safety standards. This will help guarantee the safety of travelers and airliners from America and Taiwan, as well as from other countries in Asia and around the globe.
KENT WANG
Advisory commissioner
Overseas Chinese Affairs Council
Potomac Falls, Va.
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