[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 59 (Thursday, May 8, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E883]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY IN TAIWAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. CHRISTOPHER COX

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 8, 1997

  Mr. COX of California. Mr. Speaker, as Members know, 11 Members of 
the House and I traveled to Asia over the Easter recess. Among our 
stops was a very successful visit to the Republic of China on Taiwan.
  President Lee Tung Hui offered a typically warm welcome, and stressed 
the fact that Taiwan now lives under a fully free and democratic 
government. In fact, I would note that on May 20th President Lee will 
celebrate his first anniversary of his inauguration as Taiwan's first 
democratically elected President. In fact, I had the privilege to offer 
my congratulations to President Lee in person 1 month after that first 
free election in nearly 5,000 years of recorded Chinese history.
  I offer my congratulations to him on this first anniversary of the 
election and ask that his welcome to our delegation be reprinted in the 
Record:

       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 on 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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