[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 142 (Tuesday, October 4, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 4, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
              TAIWAN'S NATIONAL DAY COMES A TIME OF CHANGE

                                 ______


                         HON. THOMAS J. MANTON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 4, 1994

  Mr. MANTON. Mr. Speaker, I want to call to the attention of our 
colleagues the departure of one of the best foreign representatives in 
Washington, the Honorable Mou Shih Ding, Representative to the United 
States from the Republic of China on Taiwan. For the past 6 years, 
Representative Ding has served as the head of the Coordination Council 
for North American Affairs, Taiwan's unofficial embassy in Washington. 
During this period we have seen a continuation of the impressive record 
of Taiwan's economic, social, and political development, now placing it 
as the 14th largest trading nation in the world. I believe 
Representative Ding's strong leadership has greatly contributed to 
Taiwan's advance, and will be missed by many of us here in the 
Congress.
  Representative Ding will continue his service to his country. He has 
been appointed to serve as Secretary General to the National Security 
Council where he will work to further the current strong United States-
Republic of China relationship. I would like to congratulate 
Representative Ding on his appointment and wish Representative Ding and 
his wife Shih Mei-Chang well in all their endeavors back in Taipei.
  I also would like to extend a warm welcome to Representative Ding's 
replacement, the Honorable Benjamin Lu, who recently arrived here in 
Washington. Representative Lu has a long, distinguished career in 
Taiwan's foreign service, and I am sure he will continue the good work 
of his predecessor. Having served as the past director of Taiwan's 
Economic Affairs Division in the United States, I am confident 
Representative Lu will perform well in this most important post. I look 
forward to working with him to build upon the continued good relations 
between the United States Congress and the people of Taiwan.
  On a final note, I would like to say a few words about Taiwan's 
recent efforts for full participation in the United Nations. Given that 
Taiwan's October 10th National Day Celebration is right around the 
corner, I feel this is an excellent time to make mention of this 
situation. As my colleagues know, the Congress has just received the 
Administration's recent report on United States policy towards Taiwan, 
and I for one would like to go on record stating that, while the report 
shows some progress, I do not believe that report went far enough 
toward making our relationship with Taiwan reflect reality. Taiwan is 
currently the United States' 5th largest trading partner; its gross 
national product is the world's 20th; its annual per capita income 
exceeds $11,000; its foreign exchange reserves are the largest in the 
world and exceed $80 billion; and it has become the world's 7th largest 
outbound investor. Taiwan enjoys an active democratic government, its 
citizens' basic rights are respected, and Taiwan has developed into a 
major international contributor for relief efforts around the world. In 
the face of these outstanding achievements, I find it sad that a 
country of 21 million people is not afforded proper representation in 
the United Nations. I urge my colleagues in this body, and in the 
administration, to look again at the unjust treatment Taiwan has been 
given with regard to high level contracts, diplomatic recognition, and 
their United Nations bid. In that regard, I am proud to cosponsor House 
Concurrent Resolution 148, and I urge my colleagues to support House 
Concurrent Resolution 148, which puts Congress on record in support of 
Taiwan's campaign to obtain a seat in the United Nations.

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