[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 58 (Wednesday, May 7, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E864]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




[[Page E864]]

  CONGRATULATING PRESIDENT LEE AND THE PEOPLE OF THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MAURICE D. HINCHEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 7, 1997

  Mr. HINCHEY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the Republic 
of China and its President, Lee Teng-Hui, on the anniversary of 
Taiwan's first Presidential election. In 1996 President Lee became the 
first freely-elected President in the history of China. President Lee, 
who received over 54 percent of the popular vote, has proven that 
strong leadership does not come from strong-arming the people. Over the 
past year, his administration has continued to build on the same 
cornerstones our own country was founded on: freedom of religion, 
freedom of speech, and the pursuit of economic freedom through private 
enterprise.
  Ever since the Republic of China was founded 86 years ago, we have 
enjoyed a very friendly relationship. Part of that friendship has been 
based on the Republic of China's strong foreign policy leaders. The 
Republic of China's newest Minister of Foreign Affairs, John Chang, has 
done an outstanding job of continuing this tradition. Prior to his 
appointment last year as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Chang worked 
more than 30 years to promote better relations between our two 
countries. Educated here in the United States, Mr. Chang served as the 
Director of North American Affairs in Taipei, and most recently the 
Minister of Overseas Chinese Affairs. Many Members of Congress have had 
the opportunity to meet with him over the past year, and I am sure they 
join me in congratulating him on a successful first year.
  Mr. Speaker, I also would like to congratulate Taipei's 
Representative here in Washington, Ambassador Jason Hu. Ambassador Hu 
has worked hard to strengthen the political and economic relationship 
between our two countries. Ambassador Hu has been instrumental in 
helping Chung Hwa, the newly privatized Taiwanese telecommunications 
company, open an office here in Washington. Chung Hwa is seeking to 
purchase more than 10 billion dollars worth of U.S. goods and services. 
Ambassador Hu's leadership in promoting political and economic 
relations between our countries is an invaluable resource to our 
continued friendship. Recently, Dr. Hu received an honorary doctoral 
degree from the University of Southampton where he studied from 1976 to 
1978, earning a master's degree in social science from the Department 
of Politics. Dr. Hu later earned his Ph.D. in 1985 from Oxford 
University. Mr. Speaker, I wish to congratulate President Lee for 
having so wisely chosen a scholar/diplomat to represent the Republic of 
China in the United States.
  A little more than one year ago, Mr. Speaker, the Republic of China 
held free and fair Presidential elections despite military bullying by 
the People's Republic of China. The PRC claims to hold elections, but 
the entire world knows that the people on the mainland have no choice 
in deciding their political leaders. That is not the case with the 
Republic of China, which has a multi-party system, respect for 
individual rights and a robust economy based on free trade. Therefore, 
it is particularly appropriate to take this opportunity to congratulate 
the people of the Republic of China, President Lee, foreign Minister 
Chang and Ambassador Hu on a very successful year. I know my colleagues 
join me in wishing them continued success in the future.

                          ____________________