[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 145 (Friday, October 7, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 7, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
   THE DEPARTURE OF TAIWANESE REPRESENTATIVE DING AND THE ARRIVAL OF 
                      TAIWANESE REPRESENTATIVE LU

 Mr. SIMON. Mr. President, over the past few months the Senate 
has focused additional attention on the need to improve the quality of 
United States relations with the 21 million people of Taiwan. By an 
overwhelming margin, this body has urged the Clinton administration to 
reduce the increasingly outdated restraints that hinder what should be 
a more healthy and open political dialog between the United States and 
Taiwan.
  The Taiwan phenomenon is remarkable in many respects. Its political 
evolution to a wide-open democracy with free, multiparty elections 
makes Taiwan the first Chinese society in history to embrace democracy. 
Added to that is an amazing record of economic achievement, one that 
makes Taiwan's robust economy the envy of much of Asia. Yet, absurdly, 
the 21 million people of Taiwan have no voice in most multilateral 
organizations. On the level of such organization, other nations, our 
own included, sustain an artificial situation that treats Taiwan as if 
it does not exist. If ``the truth will set us free,'' we must be open 
and honest about this issue so as to be fair to the very people whose 
political liberalization we so actively urged over the years.
  For that reason, I introduced a resolution earlier in this session 
that called for reintegration of Taiwan into multilateral institutions, 
as well as a significant improvement in terms of dialog between this 
Government and the government of Taiwan. The administration has taken 
some small steps in the right direction, but, admittedly, most of us 
were disappointed that it did not seize the opportunity to make 
substantial, meaningful movement forward. The recent policy review will 
not, we trust, be the last word on United States relations with Taiwan.
  That Taiwan has so far not been able to achieve the level of official 
recognition that its political and economic development warrants is no 
reflection on the caliber of its diplomatic representatives here. On 
the contrary; Taiwan's representatives have distinguished themselves by 
their energy, intelligence, and great friendship for the United States.
  One such man, Ambassador Moo-Shih Ding, has just completed his tour 
of duty in Washington. I know I speak for others in this Chamber when I 
say his efforts were appreciated, and he will be truly missed. I 
likewise am sure my colleagues will join me in extending a warm welcome 
to his successor, Benjamin C. Lu, who has just assumed his duties. We 
pledge to the new Taiwan extending a warm welcome to his successor, 
Benjamin C. Lu, who has just assumed his duties. We pledge to the new 
Taiwan representative that our dialog with his country will continue to 
grow in quality and strength, both politically and economically, during 
his period of service here.

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