[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 57 (Tuesday, May 6, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E852]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        REMARKS OF LEE TENG-HUI

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 6, 1997

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I recently had the privilege of 
traveling with the Speaker of the House on a congressional delegation 
trip to Asia. We had the opportunity to meet with some of the most 
dynamic leaders of the Pacific rim. I wanted to share with the rest of 
our colleagues the important remarks of Lee Teng-hui, President of the 
Republic of China on Taiwan.

  President Lee Teng-Hui's Address to the Speaker's Delegation to the 
              Republic of China on Taiwan on April 2, 1997

       Honorable Speaker Gingrich, Honorable Representatives, 
     Ladies and Gentlemen: Good morning. This is a very important 
     moment. On behalf of the people and the government of the ROC 
     on Taiwan, I would like to extend my heartiest welcome to all 
     of you. Particularly, I would like to express my sincere 
     appreciation to you for your decision to visit my country out 
     of such a busy schedule on your Asia evaluation tour. The 
     time of your stay is very short, but the most important thing 
     is that you didn't forget this island ROC on Taiwan. It has 
     at least two very significant meanings: First, the ROC on 
     Taiwan is the best friend of the United States in the world 
     and the symbol of American value system and idealism, Freedom 
     and Democracy. Second, the island is geographically important 
     for US military strategy in the West Pacific area, and 
     particularly in North-East Asia.
       Domestically, the ROC on Taiwan is now considered a fully 
     free country by the Freedom House based in New York City 
     following our first direct popular presidential election in 
     March 1996. In order to improve our competitiveness, we are 
     now in the process of streamlining the government structure 
     through constitutional reform and establishing an Asian 
     Pacific Regional Operations Center here.
       Our mainland China policy remains unchanged. Eventual 
     reunification of China under freedom, democracy, and social 
     justice is still our future goal, but the fact remains: China 
     is divided. We in the ROC in Taiwan would like to use the 
     next thirty years to build an even more free, democratic and 
     prosperous country, so that when the opportune time arises, 
     we can hold talks of reunification with the other side on an 
     equal footing.
       In the interest of time, I would like to listen to you; any 
     questions put forward to me are welcome. As to the purposes 
     of this trip, you already mentioned in the news conference on 
     the 23rd of March. We have already prepared answers to those 
     questions, and will provide the materials to you for your 
     convenience. Thank you very much for your attention. Now, I 
     would like to listen to your comments and advice.

     

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