Royce voices support for Taiwan’s participation at upcoming aviation safety meeting

U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, reiterated his support on Tuesday for Taiwan’s participation in the upcoming International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) 39th assembly meeting.

“Last year alone Taiwan took care of nearly 60 million incoming and outgoing passengers, serving as a crucial member of the international aviation network,” Royce said. “Yet, Taiwan does not have a seat at the International Civil Aviation Organization, which is responsible for setting international aviation safety standards. As a result of legislation I authored in 2013, Taiwan was able to attend the 38th ICAO assembly meeting and gain important information firsthand. With the 39th ICAO assembly approaching, I want to stress my support for Taiwan’s inclusion and participation in ICAO.”

Royce said that the nation should have access to the latest technologies and standards in civil aviation safety because Taiwan was East Asia’s busiest airspace.

Royce is a supporter of Taiwan’s international organizations and authored legislation that called for the State Department to endorse Taiwan’s entry into the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Royce’s 2013 bill was the first Taiwan-related piece of legislation to be signed into law by the president in more than a decade.