[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 105 (Monday, June 26, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9027-S9028]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             STATEMENT OF PRESIDENT LEE TENG-HUI OF TAIWAN

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, during a recent visit to Cornell 
University, the President of the Republic of China on Taiwan, Lee Teng-
hui, recently outlined his views about democracy. In his speech, 
President Lee underscores a number of reasons for the close ties 
between the American people and the people of Taiwan. I commend the 
full text of President Lee's remarks to my colleagues' attention and 
ask unanimous consent that it be printed in the Record at this point.
  There being no objection, the remarks were ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                           Always in My Heart

                         (By Dr. Lee Teng-hui)

       It is a great honor for me to be invited to deliver the 
     Olin lecture at my alma mater, Cornell University. It has 
     been a long and challenging journey, with many bumps in the 
     road, yet my wife and I are indeed very happy to return to 
     this beloved campus.
       This trip has allowed both of us to relive our dearest 
     Cornell experiences. The long, exhausting evenings in the 
     libraries, the soothing and reflective hours at church, the 
     hurried shuttling between classrooms, the evening strolls, 
     hand in hand--so many memories of the past have come to mind, 
     filling my heart with joy and gratitude.
       I want to thank you, President Rhodes, for your hospitality 
     and for your unflagging support of my visit here to my alma 
     mater.
       I thank you, my fellow alumni, for your understanding and 
     support as I undertake this important sentimental journey.
       I thank the many, many friends in the United States who 
     have been so supportive of my visit to your great country 
     again.
       And I also want to thank the people of this academic 
     community, my professors and classmates, for the deep and 
     lasting influence that Cornell University has had on my life. 
     The support each of you has given means a great deal to me.
       I deem this invitation to attend the reunion at Cornell not 
     only a personal honor, but, more significantly, an honor for 
     the 21 million people in the Republic of China on Taiwan. In 
     fact, this invitation constitutes recognition of their 
     remarkable achievements in developing their nation over the 
     past several decades. And it is the people of my nation that 
     I most want to talk about on this occasion.


                        Listening to the People

       My years at Cornell from 1965 to 1968 made an indelible 
     impression on me. This was a time of social turbulence in the 
     United States, with the civil rights movement and the Vietnam 
     War protest. Yet, despite that turbulence, the American 
     democratic system prevailed. It was also the time I first 
     recognized that full democracy could engender ultimately 
     peaceful change, and that lack of democracy must be 
     confronted with democratic methods, and lack of freedom must 
     be confronted by the idea of freedom before it would be 
     possible to hasten the day of genuine democracy and freedom. 
     I returned to my homeland determined to make my contribution 
     toward achieving full democracy for our society.
       Ever since I became president of the Republic of China in 
     1988, I have sought to ascertain just what the people of my 
     country want and to be always guided by their wishes. 
     Ancient China's Book of History from over 2000 years ago, 
     contains the phrase, ``Whatever the People desire, the 
     realm must follow.'' My criterion for serving as president 
     is that I do it with the people in my heart. And it is 
     obvious to me that most of all they want democracy and 
     development. Democracy entails respect for individual 
     freedom, social justice, and a sense of directly 
     participating in the destiny of their nation. Economic 
     development goes beyond attaining prosperity, it also 
     involves equitable distribution of wealth.
       Today we are entering a new post-Cold War era, where the 
     world is full of many uncertainties. Communism is dead or 
     dying, and the peoples of many nations are anxious to try new 
     methods of governing their societies that will better meet 
     the basic needs that every human has. There are many pitfalls 
     in this search for a new rationale, and Man must strive to 
     make the right choices with all the wisdom and diligence he 
     can command.
       Czech President Vaclav Havel said, ``The salvation of this 
     human world lies nowhere else but in the human heart.'' In my 
     heart, I believe that the Taiwan Experience has something 
     unique to offer the world in this search for a new direction. 
     This is not to say that our experience can be transplanted 
     entirely to fit the situation faced by other nations, but I 
     believe that, without a doubt, there are certain aspects of 
     this experience that offer new hope for the new age.


                         the Taiwan experience

       By the term Taiwan Experience I mean what the people of 
     Taiwan have accumulated in recent years through successful 
     political reform and economic development. This experience 
     has already gained widespread recognition by international 
     society and is being taken by many developing nations as a 
     model to emulate. Essentially, the Taiwan Experience 
     constitutes the economic, political and social transformation 
     of my nation over the years, a transformation which I believe 
     has profound implications for the future development of the 
     Asia-Pacific region and world peace.
       It is worth remembering what we in the Republic of China on 
     Taiwan have had to work with in achieving all that we now 
     have: a land area of only 14,000 square miles (slightly less 
     than 1/3 the area of New York State) and a population of 21 
     million. My country's natural resources are meager and its 
     population density is high. However, its international trade 
     totaled US$180 billion in 1994 and its per capita income 
     stands at US$12,000. Its foreign exchange reserves now exceed 
     US$99 billion, more than those of any other nation in the 
     world except Japan.
       The Taiwan Experience bases peaceful political change on a 
     foundation of stable and continuous economic development. 
     Taiwan, under Presidents Chiang Kai-shek and Chiang Ching-
     kuo, experienced phenomenal economic growth. Currently, aside 
     from economic development, Taiwan has been undergoing a 
     peaceful political transformation to full democracy.
       For many developing nations, the process of moving to a 
     democratic system has been marked by a coup d'etat, or by the 
     kind of ``political decay'' suggested by Professor Samuel P. 
     Huntington. In sort, it is not unusual for such a process of 
     transformation to be accompanied by violence and chaos. 
     However, the case of Republic of China on Taiwan is a notable 
     exception. Non-existent is the vicious cycle of expansive 
     political participation, class confrontation, military coup 
     and political suppression, which have occurred in many 
     developing countries. The process of reform in Taiwan is 
     remarkably peaceful indeed, and as such is virtually unique. 
     In addition to the ``economic miracle,'' we have wrought a 
     ``political miracle,'' so to speak.
       The Taiwan Experience has regional and international 
     dimensions as well. In 1994, the indirect trade between 
     Taiwan and mainland China reached US$9.8 billion. Taiwan's 
     indirect investment in southern mainland China, made through 
     Hong Kong, amounted to nearly US$4 billion, according to 
     estimates from various quarters. Taiwan's trade and 
     investment have also been extended to members of the 
     Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Vietnam, Russia, and 
     countries in Central America and Africa.
       Although the Republic of China on Taiwan has been excluded 
     from the United Nations, it has accelerated the formation of 
     an international network with economic ties as the key link. 
     Recently, it has even begun to launch a project to build 
     Taiwan into an Asian-Pacific Regional Operations Center, 
     aiming at further liberalization and globalization of our 
     economy.
       I never allow myself to ever forget for a moment that 
     Taiwan's achievements have been realized only through the 
     painstaking effort and immense political wisdom of the 
     people. However, success comes from difficulty, and the 
     fruits of the Taiwan Experience are all the sweeter today 
     from a recognition of the arduousness of the process.


                          Popular Sovereignty

       We in the Republic of China on Taiwan have found that 
     peaceful transformation must take place gradually, and with 
     careful planning. Five years ago, on my inauguration day. I 
     pledged to initiate constitutional reform in the shortest 
     possible period of time. My goal was to provide the Chinese 
     nation with a legal framework that is in accord with the 
     times, and to establish a comprehensive model for democracy. 
     These goals have since been realized with the support of the 
     people.
       Our constitutional reform was conducted in two stages. 
     First, all the senior parliamentarians last elected in 1948 
     were retired. Then, in the second stage, comprehensive 
     elections for the National Assembly and the Legislature were 
     held in 1991 and 1992 respectively. This enabled our 
     representative

[[Page S9028]]

     organs at the central government level to better represent 
     the people.
       Last year, the governor of Taiwan province, and the mayors 
     of Taipei and Kaohsiung, the two largest cities in Taiwan 
     which used to be directly administered by the central 
     government as special municipalities, were directly elected 
     by the people for the first time. Next spring, the president 
     and vice president of the Republic will also be directly 
     elected by the people for the first time.
       With the completion of constitutional reform, we have 
     established a multiparty system and have realized the ideal 
     of popular sovereignty. This has led to full respect for 
     individual freedom, ushering in the most free and liberal era 
     in Chinese history. I must reiterate that this remarkable 
     achievement is the result of the concerted efforts of the 21 
     million people in the Taiwan area.
       Today, the institutions of democracy are in place in the 
     Republic of China: human rights are respected and protected 
     to a very high degree. Democracy is thriving in my country. 
     No speech or act allowed by law will be subject to any 
     restriction or interference. Different and opposing views are 
     heard every day in the news media, including harsh criticism 
     of the President. The freedom of speech enjoyed by our people 
     is in no way different from that enjoyed by people in the 
     United States.
       I believe that the precept of democracy and the benchmark 
     of human rights should never vary anywhere in the world, 
     regardless of race or region. In fact, the Confucian belief 
     that only the ruler who provides for the needs of his people 
     is given the mandate to rule is consistent with the modern 
     concept of democracy. This is also the basis for my 
     philosophy of respect for individual free will and popular 
     sovereignty.
       Thus, the needs and wishes of my people have been my 
     guiding light every step of the way. I only hope that the 
     leaders in the mainland are able one day to be similarly 
     guided, since then our achievements in Taiwan can most 
     certainly help the process of economic liberalization and the 
     cause of democracy in mainland China.
       I have repeatedly called on the mainland authorities to end 
     ideological confrontation and to open up a new era of 
     peaceful competition across the Taiwan Straits and 
     reunification. Only by following a ``win-win'' strategy will 
     the best interests of all the Chinese people be served. We 
     believe that mutual respect will gradually lead to the 
     peaceful reunification of China under a system of 
     democracy, freedom and equitable distribution of wealth.
       To demonstrate our sincerity and goodwill. I have already 
     indicated on other occasions that I would welcome an 
     opportunity for leaders from the mainland to meet their 
     counterparts from Taiwan during the occasion of some 
     international event, and I would note even rule out the 
     possibility of a meeting between Mr. Jiang Zemin and myself.


                    yearning to play a positive role

       When a president carefully listens to his people, the 
     hardest things to bear are the unfulfilled yearnings he 
     hears. Taiwan has peacefully transformed itself into a 
     democracy. At the same time, its international economic 
     activities have exerted a significant influence on its 
     relations with nations with which it has no diplomatic ties. 
     These are no minor accomplishments for any nation, yet, the 
     Republic of China on Taiwan does not enjoy the diplomatic 
     recognition that is due from the international community. 
     This has caused many to underestimate the international 
     dimension of the Taiwan Experience.
       Frankly, our people are not happy with the status accorded 
     our nation by the international community. We believe that 
     international relations should not be solely seen in terms of 
     formal operations regulated by international law and 
     international organizations. We say so because there also are 
     semi-official and unofficial rules that bind the 
     international activities of nations. This being so, we submit 
     that a nation's substantive contribution to the international 
     community has to be appreciated in light of such non-official 
     activities as well.
       During last year's commencement, President Rhodes brought 
     up the old saying, ``Be realistic. Demand the Impossible!'' 
     Well, over the last four decades, we have been extremely 
     realistic while always trying to look forward, not backward, 
     and to work, not complain. Accordingly, we have created the 
     very fact of our existence and economic prosperity. We 
     sincerely hope that all nations can treat us fairly and 
     reasonably, and not overlook the significance, value and 
     functions we represent.
       Some say that it is impossible for us to break out of the 
     diplomatic isolation we face, but we will do our utmost to 
     ``demand the impossible.'' Ultimately, I know that the world 
     will come to realize that the Republic of China on Taiwan is 
     a friendly and capable partner for progress!
       If we view the recent economic, political and social 
     developments in the ROC in this light, we have a basis for 
     defining the status of my country in the post-Cold War and 
     post Communist era. Only in this way can we propose a new 
     direction for the new world order as we enter the 21st 
     century.


                         close traditional ties

       I want to once again express how grateful I am to be with 
     you. My gratitude extends not only to Cornell but also to the 
     United States as a whole. When we look back in history, we 
     can immediately realize how close the traditional ties 
     between our two countries are. Indeed, our shared ideals 
     for human dignity, and peace with justice have united our 
     two peoples in the closest of bonds.
       The United States was extremely helpful in the early stages 
     of Taiwan's economic development. We have never forgotten 
     America's helping hand in our hour of adversity, so your 
     nation occupies a special place in our hearts. Today, as the 
     6th largest trading partner of the United States, the 
     Republic of China imports and exports US $42.4 billion worth 
     of goods through our bilateral trade. We also are the number 
     two buyer of US treasury notes. About thirty-eight thousand 
     students from Taiwan are studying in the United States. 
     Students who have returned have made important contributions 
     to our society.
       The Republic of China's development has been partly 
     influenced by the experiences of its people while studying 
     abroad. I gained substantial know-how in the mechanics of 
     national growth and development from the faculty and students 
     I worked with here in America at both schools where I 
     studied. I had the chance to see democracy at its best in the 
     United States, and to observe its shortcomings as well. We in 
     Taiwan believe that we have much to learn from an advanced 
     democracy such as the United States; however, we also believe 
     we should develop our own model. The success of our 
     democratic evolution has provided tremendous hope for other 
     developing nations, and we wish to share our experience with 
     them. Our efforts to help others through agricultural 
     development have been well received, and we are eager to 
     expand our technical assistance programs to friendly nations 
     in the developing world.
       Taiwan has grown from an agricultural exporting economy to 
     a leading producer of electronics, computers and other 
     industrial goods. We are ``paving the information highway'' 
     with disk drives, computer screens, laptop computers and 
     modems. We are poised to become a major regional operations 
     centers as well as to buy more American products and services 
     to develop our infrastructure.
       We stand ready to enhance the mutually beneficial relations 
     between our two nations. It is my sincere hope that this 
     visit will open up new opportunities for cooperation between 
     our two countries.
       It is for this reason that I want to publicly express my 
     appreciation and admiration to President Clinton for his 
     statesman-like decision. We are equally grateful to others in 
     the administration, to the bipartisan leadership in Congress, 
     and to the American people.


                           Always in My Heart

       Whatever I have done as president of my nation. I have done 
     with the people in my heart. I have thought long and hard 
     about what my people want, and it is clear that most of all, 
     they desire democracy and development. These wishes are no 
     different than those of any other people on this planet, and 
     represent the direction in which world trends will certainly 
     continue.
       As I have spoken to you today, I have done so with the 
     people in my heart. I know that what my people would like to 
     say to you now can be expressed by this simple message:
       The people of the Republic of China on Taiwan are 
     determined to play a peaceful and constructive role among the 
     family of nations.
       We say to friends in this country and around the world;
       We are here to stay;
       We stand ready to help;
       And we look forward to sharing the fruits of our democratic 
     triumph.
       The people are in my heart every moment of the day. I know 
     that they would like me to say to you, that on behalf of the 
     21 million people of the Republic of China on Taiwan, we are 
     eternally grateful for the support--spiritual, intellectual 
     and material--that each of you has given to sustain our 
     efforts to build a better tomorrow for our nation and the 
     world. In closing, I say God bless you, God bless Cornell 
     University, God bless the United States of America, and God 
     bless the Republic of China.
       Thank you very much.
  Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, is morning business concluded?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. It is to be concluded.
  Mr. DOLE. Leaders' time was reserved?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. It was.
  Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I ask that I may use part of my leader time, 
that it not interfere with the ongoing debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________