[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 40 (Thursday, March 21, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2628-S2630]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         THE TAIWAN RESOLUTION

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I want to thank the Senator from 
Wyoming, Senator Thomas, for his leadership on the issue of the 
resolution which was just passed by a vote of 97 to 0 in this body. I 
thank him for his cooperative approach to finding a text that all 
parties could agree on. I also express my thanks and admiration to the 
Senator from Louisiana, Senator Johnston, and the Senator from Georgia, 
Senator Nunn, for their understanding of this issue and their efforts 
to craft a responsible resolution.
  I would also like to thank Senators Murkowski, Helms, Simon, and 
Pell, and the distinguished majority leader, and their staffs, for 
working with all of us in a cooperative spirit on this resolution.
  Mr. President, in the last 2 weeks we have watched as China has 
tested four missiles in close proximity to Taiwan, and the People's 
Liberation Army has conducted live-ammunition military exercises in the 
Taiwan Strait.
  These tests and exercises are, obviously, aimed at showing in a 
militant fashion China's depth of feeling about the Taiwan issue and, 
many believe, to influence the Taiwanese election which will take place 
in a 2 short days.

[[Page S2629]]

  It is unfortunate, I believe, that China has chosen to express its 
displeasure through the use of military threats. It is wrong, and the 
United States is right to deplore it. The United States has for over 24 
years adhered to a One China policy that is based, in part, on the 
understanding that China will not seek to resolve its differences with 
Taiwan through other than peaceful means.
  Our One China policy, of course, is also based on an understanding 
that Taiwan will not make any efforts to resolve its differences with 
China unilaterally or through any effort or move toward independence.
  Clearly, a number of Taiwan's actions over the past several months--
including President Lee Teng-hui's visit to the United States, 
Taiwanese military exercises concurrent with that visit, and an ongoing 
campaign for a seat at the United Nations--have called into question 
whether Taiwan is sincere in its statements that it opposes 
independence.
  This resolution, then, sends two messages. It says to the Chinese 
that their use of military threats against Taiwan is unacceptable and 
represents a potential threat to United States interests in the western 
Pacific. President Clinton has deployed the USS Independence and the 
USS Nimitz to the region to monitor events. China must understand that 
the use of force against Taiwan would have grave consequences.
  In addition, the resolution says to Taiwan that it must avoid 
provocative actions that cast doubt on its commitment not to pursue 
independence and, instead, to work for eventual peaceful reunification. 
Taiwan's security is important to the United States, but the United 
States will not sanction actions by Taiwan that raise tensions 
unnecessarily.
  The One China policy is the essential element of the United States-
China-Taiwan relationship. This policy has been the acknowledged 
framework that has served all three parties well for some two decades: 
The United States and China have been able to conduct normal relations 
befitting two great powers; China has entered into a period of dynamic 
economic growth; the United States and Taiwan have developed extensive 
economic and cultural ties; Taiwan has become the single largest 
investor in China, with over $20 billion in investments on the 
mainland; and, Taiwan has prospered and moved toward a democracy of 
which its people can be rightfully proud.
  With all of these benefits flowing from the One China policy, and the 
fact that in a poll a week ago in Taiwan only 8 percent of the people 
favored independence and the overwhelming majority preferred the status 
quo, no one should take any precipitous action which would threaten to 
undermine the One China policy. In the aftermath of the Taiwan 
election, all three parties must move to restore balance to this 
relationship by reaffirming the One China policy.
  China's concern, as relayed to me from its highest leadership, has 
been that Taiwan will not say that it endorses a One China policy and 
speaks with two tongues.
  Mr. President, I would like to introduce into the Record a directive 
from Premier Lien Chan, the number two official of the Republic of 
China. His directive was made in writing on March 5. It was made public 
by Patrick Tyler, the Beijing reporter for the New York Times. I called 
the Taiwan office and received a copy of it. It is on two pages.
  The part that I would like to quote is as follows:

       I reiterate that the Republic of China government is 
     adamant in its pursuit of national reunification and strong 
     opposition to Taiwan independence.

  When I called the Chinese Ambassador and made clear that this had 
been presented in writing, he made the point that it is presented in 
English but that it has appeared nowhere in Taiwan in Chinese.
  I ask unanimous consent to have the directive printed in the Record, 
if I may, at this point in my remarks.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

  A Directive From Premier Lien Chan, The Executive Yuan, Republic of 
                          China, March 5, 1996

       It is the responsibility of the government of the Republic 
     of China to preserve peace and stability in and around the 
     Taiwan Straits in order to ensure public welfare and the 
     security of the nation. Since July 1995, the Chinese 
     communists have conducted several military exercises. Thanks 
     to the unity of our people and proper measures taken by our 
     government, the Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Yatsu area has 
     remained stable.
       Early this morning, the mainland authorities announced 
     plans to launch missiles in waters to the northwest and 
     southwest of Taiwan between March 8 and March 15, 1996. This 
     action clearly is aimed at influencing the ROC's ninth 
     presidential and vice presidential election, destroying the 
     peace in the Taiwan Straits, and endangering regional peace 
     and stability. On behalf of the ROC government, I wish to 
     express the strongest protest, and call upon the mainland 
     authorities to cancel this provocation. We will hold Peking 
     responsible for any unfortunate consequences which arise from 
     this action.
       Facing this situation, the Executive Yuan has directed the 
     concerned agencies to make the following preparation:
       (1) The ROC armed forces have been directed by the 
     government to maintain a state of alert, and are prepared to 
     meet all possible actions of the Peking regime. They will 
     continue to monitor military activity on the mainland closely 
     provide instant reports, and take all necessary measures 
     immediately, as the need arises.
       (2) We have already adopted necessary measures to ensure 
     the safety of our fishermen and normal air and sea 
     transportation in the vicinity.
       (3) We will continue to maintain law and order, stabilize 
     the financial sector, and maintain normal economic 
     activities.
       (4) The ROC's ninth presidential and vice presidential 
     election, a historic event to be held on March 23rd, shall be 
     carried out as planned.
       I reiterate that the ROC government is adamant in its 
     pursuit of national reunification and strong opposition to 
     Taiwan independence. This election is being carried out in 
     accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of China, 
     and is in line with the will of the ROC people, and with 
     world trends.
       The outcome of this election will not affect our position 
     on cross-Straits relations; nor will it alter our 
     government's steadfast pursuit of national reunification.
       It has also been, and still is, the long-standing policy of 
     the ROC government to strengthen cross-Straits exchange and 
     negotiation while promoting positive interaction. The 
     difference in political systems and ways of life across the 
     Taiwan Straits is the main obstacle to reunification. 
     However, this is not an issue that can be resolved by 
     military means. An atmosphere that is conducive to 
     reunification can be created only by relying on patience, 
     promoting understanding through step-by-step exchange, 
     dissolving hostility, and pursuing a way of life that is most 
     beneficial to the Chinese on both sides of the Straits. 
     Popular will has indicated time and again that it is the 
     common aspiration of the people on both sides to see the end 
     of cross-Straits enmity and promote mutual benefits and 
     prosperity on the basis of peace.
       The government of the Republic of China has already decided 
     that, in the future, it will foster consensus on a concrete 
     and feasible proposal that will make a historic contribution 
     to the development of cross-Straits peace and to the security 
     and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region. The mainland 
     authorities should not unilaterally distort our position and 
     repeatedly take actions that damage the bonds between the 
     people on either side of the Taiwan Straits. This only 
     hampers cross-Straits exchanges and progress toward 
     reunification.
       I hope that the entire body of ROC citizens will remain 
     calm and rational during this period, and continue to trust 
     and support their government. The government will take 
     appropriate and effective measures, and handle the situation 
     with caution and in a manner that ensures full protection to 
     the welfare of the people.

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I think it is very important that this 
directive, which clearly states that it is the policy of the Taiwanese 
government to pursue national reunification and strongly oppose 
independence, be known by the world.
  Now there will be a window of opportunity following Saturday's 
election for resumption of the Cross-Straits Initiative that was 
derailed last summer after Lee Teng-hui's visit. This dialogue, 
conducted by China's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan 
Straits and Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation, offers a unique 
opportunity to begin to meet and discuss the major issues concerning 
reunification.
  China has for some time offered Taiwan direct air service. As you 
know, today the plane leaves Taiwan, it appears to land at Macao, it 
changes its flight number, and it goes on to China. This is not 
necessary. China is prepared to once again offer, as its Vice Foreign 
Minister told 10 U.S. Senators who were present at a meeting last week, 
direct sea service and direct postal service.
  I ardently urge both parties to sit down at the table and begin to 
discuss issues around which there is a common

[[Page S2630]]

interest. One has to be a One China policy. The second has to be 
peaceful reunification. The third has to be steps taken to achieve both 
of the foregoing.
  I think the peace, security, and stability of Asia, and perhaps the 
world, are at stake in these discussions.
  I earnestly and sincerely implore the parties, both the People's 
Republic of China and the Republic of China, to sit down at the table, 
to end these military exercises, and to resolve a peaceful 
reunification for the future.
  I thank the Chair for your indulgence.
  Mr. COATS addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Indiana.

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