US lawmakers call for official ties with Taiwan

US lawmakers introduced legislation Friday that urges the United States to resume normal diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Under current US policy, the United States has no official diplomatic ties with Taiwan and recognizes a so-called one-China policy, with Beijing as its capital. A sponsor of the legislation, Republican Rep. Tom Tancredo, called that policy outdated. "It's time for the United States to stop living this lie and to formally recognize Taiwan for what it is: An independent and sovereign country," said Tancredo, a strong critic of China and champion of Taiwan.