[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 110 (Wednesday, July 24, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1366]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            REPUBLIC OF CHINA'S NEW FOREIGN MINISTER SPEAKS

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                        HON. MAURICE D. HINCHEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 24, 1996

  Mr. HINCHEY. Mr. Speaker, as White House National Security Adviser 
Anthony Lake recently met with the Chinese leaders in Beijing. I 
believe it is imporant for Members of Congress to know what the 
Republic of China's leaders have been thinking about the reunification 
and other foreign policy issues. The best answers were provided by Mr. 
John H. Chang, the newly appointed foreign minister of the Republic of 
China, in a news conference on June 25, 1996, in Taipei.
  Minister Chang made essentially the following points: First, the 
Republic of China will not and should not engage in any reunification 
talks with Beijin unless the Republic of China and the People's 
Republic of China enjoy equal international status.
  Second, Minister Chang asks the People's Republic of China not to 
sabotage the Republic of China's diplomatic efforts abroad, otherwise 
the People's Republic of China will simple hasten the appearance of the 
``Republic of Taiwan.''
  Third, Minister Chang hopes that the leaders in Beijing will keep 
their promise of ``Chinese not fighting Chinese'' by not derailing the 
Republic of China's efforts in joining international organizations.
  Fourth, Minister Chang stresses that the Republic of China's foreign 
policy and its mainland policy are of equal importance and priority. 
Both policies are complementary to each other.
  Fifth, the Republic of China, being a sovereign country, has no 
reason not to pursue its goal of rejoining the United Nations. The 
campaign to return to the United Nations is only one of the objectives 
of the Republic of China's government, not the top priority item. 
Returning to the United Nations is a long-term goal of the government, 
and at present the Republic of China only requests the United Nations 
to set up an ad hoc committee to study the representation case.
  Sixth, the Republic of China's diplomatic initiatives are not 
intended to aggravate or challenge the People's Republic of China. They 
are intended to create a beneficial environment for the Republic of 
China to survive internationally, to allow its citizens to live 
peaceably and to prosper at home and to afford its citizens pride and 
confidence as they travel abroad.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe Minister Chang's June 25 press interview is 
helpful to our understanding of the latest developments in the Taiwan 
Strait.

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