[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 63 (Thursday, May 19, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 19, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
              UNITED STATES POLICY TOWARD CHINA AND TAIWAN

  Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, we have heard a good deal of discussion 
this morning about the issue of most-favored-nation status. I rise this 
morning to extend my feelings about the necessity of extending most-
favored-nation status to China.
  Other speakers this morning have addressed the issue of linkage 
between human rights and trade. Obviously, we all want to see human 
rights advancements take place as quickly as possible. But the U.S. 
mentality is for a quick fix. We want to see the problem resolved and 
see it behind us. From the standpoint of the Chinese, however, they 
feel they are making progress. The Chinese are making progress, but not 
as quickly as the Americans would prefer.
  Nevertheless, the question is extending most-favored-nation status or 
terminating it. You bring about change through trade and commerce. MFN 
is the vehicle which gives us an opportunity to influence the Chinese, 
and therefore, bring about change.
  I think it is rather interesting to reflect on some of the dialog 
that has taken place over the last several months concerning most-
favored-nation status, statements by some of our colleagues, as well as 
our President, concerning the adequacy of human rights advancements. I 
have detected some inconsistencies in these statements as compared to 
speeches by these same people 1 year ago. I don't think the Chinese 
have changed over this time period, but the attitude of the 
administration and many of my colleagues has changed as they have come 
to realize the consequences of their actions. We are faced with the 
harsh reality of where we will be if we do not extend MFN to China.
  The Senator from Alaska feels very strongly that the concept of 
encouraging advancements, at the same time extending the channels 
through which trade and commerce can take place, will ultimately bring 
about a greater sensitivity toward human rights in China.
  This morning I want to also talk about the one-China-and-two-systems 
policy of the United States--the two systems being Hong Kong and 
Taiwan. I think that Taiwan and Hong Kong should be an integral part of 
our Asian policy.
  Tomorrow is the fourth anniversary of President Lee Teng-hui's 
presidency. President Lee, as all my colleagues are aware, is the 
freely elected leader of the Republic of China on Taiwan. I would like 
to commend President Lee for his leadership. Taiwan is a stable, 
prosperous, democratic country. It is a model for the emerging 
democracies. In recognition of these accomplishments, President Lee 
received a letter from over 70 Senators congratulating him. That letter 
is certainly evidence of this Chamber's good will toward the people of 
Taiwan.
  Yesterday, as a further gesture of good will, Senator Brown and I 
sent President Lee an individual letter asking him to consider visiting 
the United States, specifically the States of Alaska and Colorado.
  I ask unanimous consent that the letter be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the letter was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                                  U.S. Senate,

                                     Washington, DC, May 17, 1994.
     Hon. Lee Teng-hui,
     President, Republic of China on Taiwan, c/o Mou Shih Ding, 
         Representative, CCNAA.
       Dear President Lee: The Republic of China on Taiwan, under 
     your leadership, has become a leader in the industrialized 
     world with a dynamic and growing economy and a prosperous and 
     free people. As Senators from states with a strong focus on 
     the Pacific Rim, we see tremendous opportunities to expand 
     and strengthen ties between the people of the United States 
     and the people of the Republic of China on Taiwan. We are 
     firmly in favor of preserving and promoting extensive, close, 
     and friendly commercial, cultural and other relations between 
     the United States and Taiwan.
       For that reason, we would like to formally invite you to 
     come to the United States to see for yourself the strong 
     sentiments and support for the Republic of China on Taiwan. 
     Specifically, we would like to invite you as our guest to 
     visit our home states--Alaska and Colorado. We would also be 
     honored if you could be our guest in Washington, D.C.
       Thank you for your consideration of our invitation.
           Sincerely,
     Hank Brown,
       U.S. Senator.
     Frank H. Murkowski,
       U.S. Senator.

  Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to print in the 
Record a letter to President Clinton, dated May 17, 1994, from Senator 
Brown and me regarding our invitation to President Lee.
  There being no objection, the letter was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                                  U.S. Senate,

                                     Washington, DC, May 17, 1994.
     Hon. William J. Clinton,
     The President,
     The White House.
       Dear Mr. President: On April 30, 1994, you signed into law 
     the Foreign Relations Authorization Act. Section 508 of that 
     Act urges you to ``take steps to show clear United States 
     support for Taiwan ***.'' This expression of congressional 
     intent is consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act which sets 
     forth the policy of the United States ``to preserve and 
     promote extensive, close, and friendly commercial, cultural, 
     and other relations between the people of the United States 
     and the people on Taiwan ***.'' 22 U.S.C. 3301.
       Despite this expression of congressional intent, we were 
     embarrassed to learn that the Department of State refused the 
     request of the Honorable Lee Teng-hui, the freely elected 
     leader of the democratic Republic of China on Taiwan, to 
     overnight in Hawaii enroute to Costa Rica. We believe this 
     decision was ill advised. We were particularly dismayed to 
     hear that this decision was made to appease the PRC's 
     Ambassador who had protested the presence of President Lee on 
     American soil.
       Mr. President, we believe that our country should be doing 
     everything it can to promote close and friendly ties with the 
     Republic of China on Taiwan--a democratic country that is 
     extremely important to our economic and security interests in 
     East Asia. For that reason, we have attached a letter that we 
     have sent to the Honorable Lee Teng-hui inviting him to visit 
     our home states of Alaska and Colorado, and to be our guest 
     in Washington. We think that such a visit by Mr. Lee can go a 
     long way to repair the damage done by the recent snubbing at 
     the hands of the State Department, and to promote extensive, 
     close, and friendly relations with the people of the Republic 
     of China on Taiwan.
           Sincerely,
     Frank Murkowski,
       U.S. Senator.
     Hank Brown,
       U.S. Senator.

   Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, we think such a visit by President Lee 
will help preserve and promote close and friendly ties between the 
United States and Taiwan. We believe that such increased ties can be 
made without harming relations with the People's Republic of China.
  While Congress is intent on improved relations with Taiwan, to some 
extent, our administration stays rooted in history. Fifteen years have 
passed since Congress passed the Taiwan Relations Act. Yet, our actions 
towards Taiwan have not moved forward during that time to any great 
degree.
  Few of my colleagues know that 2 weeks ago the State Department--
after protests of the ambassador of the People's Republic of China--
refused to let President Lee's plane stay overnight in Hawaii en route 
to Costa Rica. The base commander was not even allowed to come out and 
greet the President.


                      Restrictive Policy on Visits

  The State Department's explanation is that it is a sensitive issue 
because of the lack of diplomatic relations between the United States 
and the Republic of China. But within 1 month of President Lee's visit, 
we have seen several individuals who have no official relations with 
the United States Government hold meetings in Washington: The Dalai 
Lama of Tibet's Government-in-exile; Yasser Arafat of the PLO; Gerry 
Adams of Sinn Fein; Mrs. Anson Chan of Hong Kong's government.


                          No High-Level Visits

  We have had no high-level visits to Taiwan since USTR Carla Hills 
went in 1991. But France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and other allies 
send high-level officials to Taiwan frequently, while still maintaining 
normal relations with Beijing.


                 Representative Offices Have Code Names

  We have unbelievable procedures for identifying offices for Taiwan. 
The offices have code names. The CCNAA--Coordinating Council for North 
American Affairs--is the name of the Republic of China's office here. 
The name has no identification with Taiwan. In Taiwan, we have the 
American Institute of Taiwan. At least our office is identified with 
America.


                              Visa Stamps

  If you want a visa to come to the United States, it bears a Hong Kong 
stamp. That is what our representative office, AIT, issues. What 
happens in 1997? The State Department has not addressed that issue 
yet--but it must.


                        Passport Place of Birth

  Taiwanese with United States passports are not allowed to record 
Taiwan as their place of birth on the United States passport. We hope 
that recently passed legislation will solve this inconsistency.
  The list goes on and on, but time is short so I will stop here.
  The point is that this is simply a crazy way to treat a friend and 
ally. The administration and Congress should work together to make 
positive changes.
  Mr. President, I am convinced that these changes should be made as 
part of an overall policy approach to Asia that stresses greater 
balance in our relationship not only toward Taiwan but toward China as 
well. But I will save that speech for another day, some time closer to 
June 3.
  I wish the President pro tempore a good day.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Connecticut [Mr. 
Lieberman], is recognized for not to exceed 5 minutes.
  Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, I thank the Chair.

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