[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 112 (Friday, August 1, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1600-E1601]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING TAIWAN'S AMBASSADOR

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MAURICE D. HINCHEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 31, 1997

  Mr. HINCHEY. Mr. Speaker, we have seen significant changes in the Far 
East in the last

[[Page E1601]]

few weeks. Most of the attention has focused on the departure of 
Britain from Hong Kong, and the Beijing Government's assumption of 
control over those territories. Many of us are deeply concerned about 
what that will mean for the rights of the residents of Hong Kong, and 
for the future of civil liberties there.
  But it would be unfortunate if those developments overshadowed what 
has happened in the Republic of China on Taiwan. On July 18, work was 
completed on a number of constitutional changes. Among the structural 
changes was the freezing of provincial government operations, a step 
which should make Taiwan more of a participatory and representative 
democracy. The changes will guarantee Taiwan's original residents full 
political participation. At the same time, other changes will also 
provide the kinds of social protections and guarantees that many of us 
consider an essential feature of a modern democracy. For instance, the 
changes will guarantee medical care to disabled citizens.
  Let us hope that the progress Taiwan has made in the past and the 
further progress it has made with these changes shall serve as an 
example for other Asian nations.
  I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Ambassador 
Jason Hu, the Representative of the Republic of China on Taiwan, on 
completing his first year of service here on Washington. Many of us in 
the House have come to know him and respect him for his work here and 
for sharing his perspective on Asian affairs with us. He is an able 
successor to his predecessor, Ambassador Liu.

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