[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 177 (Thursday, November 9, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2150]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       OPPORTUNITY AND CHALLENGE

                                 ______


                         HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 9, 1995

  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, for many years now, I have joined my 
colleagues in congratulating the leaders of the Republic of China on 
Taiwan on their national day. This year, I wish to draw my colleagues' 
attention to an excellent book written by Frederick Chien, the Republic 
of China's Foreign Minister.
  Taiwan has worked hard to normalize relations between themselves and 
the Chinese communists, motivated somewhat by fear of military 
invasion. After summer missile tests, the People's Republic of China 
are threatening other tests if Taiwan does not abandon its pragmatic 
diplomacy.
  In recent years, in exercising pragmatic diplomacy, Taipei has been 
able to maintain diplomatic relations with nearly 30 countries and to 
increase their official representation in other countries. Furthermore, 
pragmatic diplomacy has also allowed Taipei to make great progress in 
joining international organizations. The ROC became an official member 
of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in November 1991 and was 
granted observer status in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 
in September 1992. Meanwhile, Taipei seeks to return to the United 
Nations.
  Foreign Minister Chien's success in implementing pragmatic diplomacy 
is carefully documented in his new publication: ``Opportunity and 
Challenge'', published by Arizona State University. I enjoyed reading 
Minister Chien's analysis of the post-cold war era and the implications 
for countries such as Taiwan. The book offered fascinating reading 
about Chien, a well-bred diplomat, educated at China and at Yale--whose 
leadership in the late 20th century came at a critical juncture in 
history. Chien's dedication to his country, to his wife Julia, their 
children, and his friends, represents the sum total of ``Opportunity 
and Challenge.''
  ``Opportunity and Challenge'' is a chronicle of Minister Chien's 
successes and disappointments during the last 6 years in the ROC's 
foreign ministry. It is a must reading for anyone interested in the 
Republic of China's recent diplomatic history. No one individual has 
occupied a more pivotal place in ROC's diplomatic annals than Fred 
Chien.
  Congratulations to Fred and best wishes to the Republic of China on 
its national day.

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