[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 135 (Thursday, September 26, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1703-E1704]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA ON THE OCCASION OF THEIR 85TH 
                              NATIONAL DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 25, 1996

  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, October 10 marks the 85th anniversary of 
the birth of the Republic of China [ROC]. As this historic occasion 
approaches, I want to take this opportunity to send my personal 
greetings and congratulations to the people of Taiwan and especially to 
President Lee Teng Hui.
  Mr. Speaker, I have been fortunate enough to visit with President Lee 
on several occasions in Taiwan, and more recently during his visit to 
the United States and his alma mater, Cornell University. On every 
occasion our discussions have been warm and enlightening. The Republic 
of China has long been a beacon of democracy and economic freedom in 
this important region of the world. During the

[[Page E1704]]

past decades Taiwan has been transformed from an underdeveloped island 
to an economic powerhouse. The ROC is our sixth largest trading partner 
and trade between our two countries its growing.
  Taiwan has exhibited its leadership and commitment to these 
principles earlier this year when President Lee became the first 
popularly elected political leader in Chinese history. This was an 
important milestone for the people of Taiwan. The ROC achieved this 
success despite the attempts of its neighbor, the People's Republic of 
China, to intimidate Taiwan's electorate by conducting war games in the 
Taiwan Strait shortly before the election.
  While the past year has been one of great change in Taiwan, there 
have also been changes here in Washington. In July, Dr. Jason Hu, 
formerly head of the Government Information Office, assumed the 
position of Representative at the Taipei Cultural and Economic Office, 
the ROC's unofficial embassy in Washington. I look forward to working 
closely with Ambassador Hu to further strengthen ties between our two 
countries. At the same time Dr. Fred Chien has left his post as Foreign 
Minister and has been elected Speaker of the National Assembly. This is 
a well deserved honor for Dr. Chien, who has worked tirelessly here in 
Washington and in Taipei to make United States-Republic of China 
relations the success they are today. John Chang, who had been the Vice 
Foreign Minister, has become the new Foreign Minister. I am certain he 
will build on Dr. Chien's achievements at the Ministry of Foreign 
Affairs.
  Finally, I want to note that two very able officials in the Taipei 
Representative office will be returning to Taiwan at the end of the 
month. Dr. Lyushen Shen and his associate James Huang, have served 
their country well during their tenure here in Washington.
  Mr. Speaker, there are many issues concerning Taiwan and the United 
States which I hope Congress will address in the next session of 
Congress. Chief among those are membership in the WTO for Taiwan, and 
making certain that Taiwan's security needs are met. As important as 
these issues will be in the future, I hope my colleagues will take a 
moment to pause and join me now in congratulating the ROC for 85 years 
of progress and success.

                          ____________________