Washington: The U.S. Senate on Tuesday passed the Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act, which requires the State Department to regularly review and update the rules governing U.S. engagement with Taiwan.

According to Focus Taiwan, the bill, which was passed without objection, directs the State Department to “identify opportunities and plans to lift self-imposed restrictions on relations with Taiwan,” as noted on the U.S. Congress website. The bill also mandates that the guidelines consider Taiwan’s governance by a representative government established through free and fair elections.

The bipartisan act was introduced in February by Ann Wagner, the late Gerry Connolly, and Ted Lieu. It successfully passed the U.S. House of Representatives in May. The act aims to dismantle restrictions set by the U.S. Department of State after the United States ended diplomatic relations with the Republic of China (Taiwan) in 1979, which governed contact between American and Taiwanese officials.

The act requires the State Department to assess every two years whether current guidelines can deepen and expand U.S.-Taiwan relations and reflect the value and importance of the bilateral relationship. The act will come into effect once President Donald Trump signs it into law.