[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 36 (Friday, March 15, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S2148]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNITION OF THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

  Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, on March 17, 1996, Representative and Mrs. 
Benjamin Lu of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative office 
in Washington, DC, will sponsor the Music for Democracy concert at the 
Kennedy Center. It will be an occasion to celebrate Taiwan's long 
journey toward democracy.
  The late President Chiang Ching-Kuo nurtured the seeds of democracy 
on Taiwan by lifting the emergency decree, liberalizing personal 
freedoms and legalizing opposition political parties. After Chiang's 
death in 1988, President Lee Teng-Hui presided over further economic 
and political liberalization, vowing to make the Republic of China a 
nation built on economic opportunity and democracy.
  Now in 1996, Taiwan is indeed a success story with a strong, growing 
economy and open democratic elections. Over the last 8 years, the 
People of the Republic of China have participated in the free election 
of the National Assembly, three elections of the Legislative Yuan, the 
election of the Governor of Taipei Province, and mayoral elections in 
Taipei and Kaohsiung.
  The most notable in the progression will occur on March 23 of this 
year, when Taiwan will hold its first free and direct election of the 
President of the Republic of China.
  Mr. President, there will be four presidential candidates on the 
ballot, the incumbent President Lee Teng-Hui being one of the four. 
This presidential election will answer the old question of whether 
democracy is possible or appropriate in a Chinese society. As the 
Republic of China has demonstrated to the world, democracy is truly 
appropriate and possible for Taiwan, and for all countries. Democracy, 
in Taiwan's case, has been achieved without sacrificing either 
political stability or economic growth.
  I have met President Lee Teng-Hui and have been impressed by his 
commitment to democratic principles. I also understand from individuals 
associated with President Lee and his Government, such as Professor N. 
Mao, that he is a man truly dedicated to making the Republic of China a 
first-rate nation and its people prosperous and free.
  Mr. President, I commend Representative and Mrs. Lu for sponsoring 
the Music for Democracy Concert on March 17. I join the people of the 
Republic of China on Taiwan in their celebration of democracy and 
commend President Lee for his efforts in leading the Republic of China 
down that road. Mr. President, I salute President Lee and his people.

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