[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 98 (Friday, July 11, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1408-E1409]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                TAIWAN YIELDS MODEL FOR A FREE HONG KONG

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                        HON. GERALD B.H. SOLOMON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 11, 1997

  Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, in light of the recent return of Hong Kong 
to the People's Republic of China I recommend to you the following 
article by Lee Teng-hui, which appeared in USA Today on Monday, June 
30, 1997. I agree with him, the people of Hong Kong should look to 
Taiwan as a model to maintain democracy and encourage the Chinese 
mainland to do everything possible to head in that direction. This 
unique opportunity to expand democracy must be seized in order to 
ensure that the freedom, dignity, and humanity of all people is 
respected.

                    [From USA Today, June 30, 1997]

                Taiwan Yields Model for a Free Hong Kong

                           (By Lee Teng-hui)

       Today, the era of colonial rule will come to an end in Hong 
     Kong. This is a proud event for all Chinese wherever they 
     are, and offers a new opportunity for creating a democratic 
     Chinese nation. We earnestly hope that the Beijing 
     authorities will be able to maintain the prosperity and 
     stability of Hong Kong, and will ensure that the people of 
     Hong Kong continue to enjoy freedom, democracy and basic 
     human rights. This is the only way to act in accord with the 
     joint values and trends of mankind today, regional peace and 
     development, and the common dignity and interests of all 
     Chinese people.
       Taiwan's experience offers reason for optimism.
       A little more than one year ago, the Republic of China 
     successfully held a direct presidential election on Taiwan, 
     completing a crucial objective of our political reform. At 
     the time, the concept of constitutional government stressed 
     by Americans over two-hundred years ago kept coming to my 
     mind: ``. . . all Men are created equal, . . . they are 
     endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, . . 
     . among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness 
     . . . to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted 
     among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the 
     Government.''
       Indeed, with the joint effort of the entire populace and 
     their government, the Republic of China has upheld the 
     principle of popular sovereignty on Taiwan, and has succeeded 
     in lifting martial law, liberalizing the formation of 
     political parties, realizing the practice of free speech, re-
     electing all national parliamentarians who had been in office 
     for a long time, and carrying out a direct presidential 
     election. Through these endeavors, the Republic of China has 
     undergone profound change, and has become a full-fledged 
     democracy.
       However, we cannot overlook the fact that still over 20 
     percent of the world's population, most of whom live on the 
     Chinese mainland, have no way to enjoy these rights. The 
     Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait share the same 
     cultural and racial heritage. Thus, there is no reason why we 
     cannot jointly build a system of democracy and freedom, and 
     fully exercise our God-given rights.
       In 1979, before martial law was lifted in Taiwan, a number 
     of protesters demonstrating against government censorship of 
     their magazine were arrested and jailed in what became known 
     as the Kaohsiung Incident. At the same time, the Chinese 
     communist authorities arrested the human rights activist Wei 
     Jingsheng. Today, many of those involved in the Kaohsiung 
     Incident have redeemed themselves through the ballot box and 
     have become important elected political leaders on Taiwan. 
     However, Mr. Wei remains in jail. The marked differences in 
     systems and values between the two sides are the fundamental 
     reason why each of the two parts of the China we all want to 
     see reunified one day still remain separate political 
     entities.
       Democracy has become a world trend, and is without doubt 
     the greatest achievement of mankind this century. One reason 
     civilization continues to progress is that we have the 
     courage to realize our dreams, and we have the heart to care 
     about each other and

[[Page E1409]]

     provide mutual support. We must continue to uphold this 
     spirit and sentiment, so that democracy ultimately becomes 
     the common way of life of all humanity. May people living in 
     every corner of the global village enjoy democracy!
       Thus, we cherish the young buds of democracy on the Chinese 
     mainland. Certain forms of election in rural townships and 
     villages have spread on the mainland in recent years. We are 
     happy to see it succeed and call on the Chinese mainland 
     authorities to show the courage and determination to boldly 
     take the grand route to democracy. Join with us and bring 
     democracy to all of Chinese society, seeking everlasting 
     well-being and peace for the Chinese people!
       Unquestionably, if Taiwan can achieve democracy, then Hong 
     Kong should be able to maintain democracy, and there is no 
     reason why the Chinese mainland cannot do everything possible 
     to head in that direction. This is the true way to solve the 
     China problem.
       In the 21st century, mankind will certainly prove that 
     ``All roads lead to Democracy!''

     

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