[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 35 (Thursday, March 14, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S2098]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            CHINA AND TAIWAN

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, during the past 3 weeks, several 
unfortunate events that threaten peace and stability around the world 
have occurred. In Israel and in the skies off the Cuban coast, innocent 
men, women, and children have lost their lives as a result of those 
tragedies. Moreover, countless others continue to suffer the 
consequences of increased tensions between countries and groups of 
people who have long been separated by ideological or religious 
differences.
  Like many of my colleagues, I have already expressed my outrage at 
the unnecessary tragedy in the Straits of Florida and the 
unconscionable suicide bombings in Israel. I want to take this 
opportunity to voice my strong concerns about the recent escalation of 
tensions between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of 
China on Taiwan.
  In the past week, China has taken several actions intended to 
intimidate the people of Taiwan and influence its upcoming presidential 
elections. On March 5, Beijing announced its decision to conduct 
guided-missile tests near Taiwan. Three days later, China launched the 
first three missiles in tests it intends to conduct until March 15. On 
March 9, China announced its plans to conduct live-ammunition war 
exercises in the Strait of Taiwan until March 20, just 3 days before 
Taiwan's presidential elections.
  As Secretary of State Warren Christopher indicated recently, these 
actions are ``risky, and smack of intimidation and coercion.'' China's 
actions create grave risks to stability in that region. I urge China's 
leadership to halt these dangerous and provocative actions immediately.
  Make no mistake, the risk is real. China's missile tests and military 
exercises are dangerous in and of themselves, and they increase the 
chances of an accident that could cause tensions to spiral out of 
control.
  When China conducted similar missile tests in July and August of last 
year, the target areas were 85 and 80 miles north of Taiwan, 
respectively. By contrast, the target zone for the surface-to-surface 
missiles fired last week are only half as far from Taiwan, and far too 
close to major airline and shipping routes.
  Of the three missiles launched last week, two landed near the port of 
Keelung which is only 23 miles from Taiwan's northern coast and 
approximately 30 miles from Taipei, Taiwan's capital. The third missile 
landed in a target zone near the port of Kaohsiun, which is only 35 
miles from Taiwan's southern coast.
  Thankfully, the three missiles fired last week and the one fired this 
week landed where the Chinese intended. However, China intends to 
conduct similar missile tests in the same zones. If one of these 
missiles should stray off-course and mistakenly land in Taiwan, or hit 
a ship or an airliner, the repercussions would be severe. Needless to 
say, under such circumstances, Taiwan could not be expected to sit idly 
by, and the Clinton administration has continually warned that if an 
accident occurs, China ``will be held accountable.'' I would like to 
lend my voice to those warnings.
  Even if China's missile tests and military exercises go as planned, 
the inevitable result is greater difficulties in the day-to-day lives 
of the Taiwanese people. Taiwan's stock market has already experienced 
a great deal of volatility, and the fluctuations would have been 
greater had it not been for government initiatives. Flights for 
commercial airlines will also be disrupted this week when aircraft will 
be forced to change routes to avoid China's military exercises, and 
shipping has been delayed or diverted to avoid the missile test zones.
  Despite the heroic efforts by President Lee to keep the people of 
Taiwan calm during these trying times, China's threatening actions will 
continue to inject fear into the daily lives of the Taiwanese people. 
Beijing's time and efforts would be far better spent trying to 
communicate with Taiwan in a non-threatening and peaceful way rather 
than carrying out reckless missile tests and military exercises.
  Finally, Mr. President, there should be no misunderstanding that if 
China's missile tests and military exercises should develop into actual 
military action against Taiwan, the United States is well prepared to 
respond. The carrier U.S.S. Independence, accompanied by three 
warships, was recently ordered to move near Taiwan. Moreover, the 
U.S.S. Nimitz and five to six additional ships are expected to arrive 
near Taiwan before the upcoming presidential elections.
  The irony is that China is conducting missile tests and military 
exercises in order to curb support for Taiwan independence. The fact of 
the matter is, most Taiwanese, as well as a majority of their elected 
leaders, are committed to reunification, but only reunification 
achieved through peaceful means.
  United States policy, as spelled out in the 1979 Taiwan Relations 
Act, stipulates that the future relationship between China and Taiwan 
should be determined by peaceful means. I sincerely hope China will not 
miscalculate United States resolve in this regard. With the leadership 
of President Clinton, the United States stands ready to assist Taiwan 
if necessary. Again, I urge the People's Republic of China to cease its 
intimidation of Taiwan and to resolve its differences with the 
Taiwanese peacefully.

                          ____________________