[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 140 (Friday, September 30, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 30, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
         IN CELEBRATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA'S NATIONAL DAY

  Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, last May I had an opportunity to visit the 
Republic of China on Taiwan. It was a wonderful experience forging new 
friendships and strengthening the many ties between the Republic of 
China and my home State, Idaho. I was very much impressed by the public 
officials with whom I met.
  During my meeting with President Lee Teng-Hui, I learned of his 
genuine interest in seeing his country play a larger international 
role, which is a goal befitting Taiwan's economic power and place 
within the international community. President Lee urged all nations, 
especially the United States, to give their support to Taiwan's 
campaign to return to the United Nations. It is my hope that this goal 
will someday be realized.
  I also had a very interesting conversation with Dr. Fredrick Chien, 
the Republic of China's Foreign Minister. A Yale-educated Ph.D. and 
diplomat, Minister Chien's vast abilities offer a great deal to both 
the people of the Republic of China and the world. His grasp of 
international events, his wit, and his intellect are impressive. I 
enjoyed our discussion on the relationship between the Republic of 
China and the United States, and share Minister Chien's desire to see a 
further strengthening of ties between Taipei and Washington.
  After extensive internal review, there has been recent progress 
toward upgrading the relations between the United States and Taiwan, 
which was good news from the Clinton administration. The administration 
has agreed to help Taiwan enter certain international organizations, 
especially those that deal primarily with trade and commerce. The 
Clinton administration has also agreed to allow the ROC to change the 
name of its offices in the United States from the Coordination Council 
for North American Affairs, to the Taipei Economic and Cultural 
Representative Office. These modest improvements in relations between 
our two countries are certainly a step in the right direction. It is 
hoped that we will see this pattern of improvement continued.
  On the eve of the Republic of China's 83d National Day, I believe we 
should continue to give our support to the Republic of China's bid to 
be a member of the GATT and the United Nations. In addition, I hope 
that remaining issues or obstacles can be resolved so that President 
Lee Teng-Hui and Vice President Li Yuan-Zu can be allowed to visit the 
United States. It is my understanding that a number of my colleagues 
have extended invitations to President Lee and other leaders from 
Taipei, to visit Capitol Hill. I know for a fact that President Lee has 
much insight to share with us, especially on east Asian affairs.
  Before concluding, Mr. President, on September 20, 1994, I attended a 
congressional farewell reception for Ambassador and Mrs. Mou-Shih Ding 
in the Mansfield Room. I was glad to see many of my Senate colleagues 
in attendance. They clearly had a great deal of affection for the Dings 
and the Republic of China. Ambassador Ding's successor, Ambassador 
Benjamin Lu, is a multilingual diplomat with Washington experience. Lu 
was stationed here in Washington in the 1980's as the director of the 
economic division of the then-titled Coordination Council for North 
American Affairs. I welcome Ambassador and Mrs. Lu to Capitol Hill and 
look forward to their tenure in Washington, DC.

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