[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 51 (Tuesday, May 3, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 3, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                       U.N. MEMBERSHIP FOR TAIWAN

  (Mr. DeLAY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DeLAY. Mr. Speaker, almost exactly 15 years ago, in April 1979, 
President Carter signed the Taiwan Relations Act, which has governed 
the relationship between the United States and the Republic of China to 
this day.
  Since that date, the United States has not formally recognized 
Taiwan, nor have dozens of other nations. Nonetheless, the Republic of 
China has emerged as one of the economic powers of the world. Taiwan 
has achieved economic growth rates averaging 8 percent in the past 
decade, and its gross national product is the 20th largest in the 
world. The Republic of China's foreign exchange reserves of $90 billion 
are exceeded only by those of Germany, and Taiwan has grown to be the 
United States' sixth largest trading partner, with bilateral trade 
approaching $39 billion per year.
  Taiwan has matched its economic achievements with impressive 
political liberalization. The first democratic elections in the Chinese 
people's history were held in December 1992, and a multiparty system is 
flourishing.
  Considering Taiwan's economic status and the fact that three-quarters 
of the nations that dominate the General Assembly of the United Nations 
have populations smaller than that of the Republic of China, it does 
not make sense that Taiwan is excluded from membership. Furthermore, 
Taiwan does not wish to replace China's seat, but rather simply have 
its own voice, and ample precedent already exists for such a move.
  I urge my colleagues and the President to support membership for 
Taiwan in the United Nations, and to encourage other countries to 
support this effort, as well.

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