[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 73 (Tuesday, June 9, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H4279-H4283]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ACKNOWLEDGING POSITIVE ROLE OF TAIWAN IN ASIAN FINANCIAL CRISIS
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 270) acknowledging the positive
role of Taiwan in the current Asian financial crisis and affirming the
support of the American people for peace and stability on the Taiwan
Strait and security for Taiwan's democracy, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Con. Res. 270
Whereas the President of the United States has announced he
intends to travel to Beijing in June 1998 to discuss the
common interests of the United States and the People's
Republic of China;
Whereas the American people desire strong relations with
the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait;
Whereas it is the policy of the United States Government to
take all necessary action to ensure peace and stability on
the Taiwan Strait, while continuing mutually beneficial trade
relations with Taiwan's vibrant economy;
Whereas the American people have repeatedly welcomed and
supported democracy for the people of Taiwan;
Whereas Taiwan set an example for democratization in the
region having successfully held free and fair elections at
the local and national level and encouraging the development
of democratic institutions;
Whereas the American people seek to promote economic
stability and growth amidst the current financial turmoil in
the Asia-Pacific region;
Whereas Taiwan's economy has weathered the current Asian
financial crisis better than others in the region;
Whereas Taiwan has proposed to use various means to help
stabilize the economies of many of its neighbors, including
possibilities for action by the Asian Pacific Economic
Cooperation (APEC) forum of which it is a member;
[[Page H4280]]
Whereas Taiwan has expressed its willingness to provide
financial assistance to its neighbors;
Whereas in the spring of 1996, the political leadership of
the People's Republic of China used provocative military
maneuvers, including missile launch exercises in the Taiwan
Strait, in an attempt to intimidate the people of Taiwan
during their historic, free, and democratic presidential
election;
Whereas officials of the People's Republic of China refuse
to renounce the use of force against the people on Taiwan;
Whereas the use of force, and the threat to use force, by
the People's Republic of China against Taiwan undermines
regional stability; and
Whereas a senior United States executive branch official
has again recently called upon the People's Republic of China
to renounce any use of force against Taiwan: Now, therefore,
be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that--
(1) the United States abides by all previous understandings
of a ``one China'' policy and its abiding interest in a
peaceful resolution of the Taiwan Straits issue; and
(2) the President of the United States should seek, at the
June summit meeting this year in Beijing, a public
renunciation by the People's Republic of China of any use of
force, or threat to use force, against democratic Taiwan.
Amend the title so as to read: ``Concurrent resolution
acknowledging Taiwan's desire to play a positive role in the
current Asian financial crisis and affirming the support of
the American people for peace and stability on the Taiwan
Strait and security for Taiwan's democracy.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Gilman) and the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr.
Faleomavaega) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman).
General Leave
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
on this measure.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
(Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the distinguished
gentleman from New York (Mr. Solomon), the chairman of the Committee on
Rules, for introducing this timely resolution on Taiwan. I also want to
thank the distinguished gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter),
chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, for his support
of the measure. I am pleased to bring it to the floor today for
consideration.
Mr. Speaker, it is particularly important that the House make a
statement on Taiwan, especially in light of President Clinton's fast
approaching summit with the Chinese in Beijing. Taiwan is of singular
importance to our Nation. Taiwan plays a pivotal role in regional
prosperity and stability. But this prosperity and stability can be
threatened. We need only to remember back to the ominous period in the
spring of 1996 when Chinese M-9 missiles flew across the Strait of
Taiwan into international air and sea lanes in a heavy-handed attempt
by Beijing to threaten the first democratic elections in 5,000 years of
Chinese history. That sort of missile diplomacy on the part of China is
unacceptable, and it is appropriate that we call on Beijing to renounce
the use of force in settling the Taiwan question.
Finally, I want to commend Taiwan on the development of a vibrant
democracy and a robust economy. I want to state my firm belief that the
issue of one China must be settled peacefully and first and foremost by
the Chinese people on both sides of the Strait of Taiwan, not by one
side dictating terms to the other through missile diplomacy or
otherwise. I support this resolution. I encourage my colleagues to do
so as well.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
(Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to revise and extend
his remarks.)
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Concurrent
Resolution 270, which acknowledges Taiwan's desire to play a positive
role in the Asian financial crisis and affirms American support for
peace and stability on the Taiwan Strait and security for Taiwan's
democracy.
I commend the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) the author of the
resolution and the chairman of the Committee on International
Relations, also the gentleman from New York (Mr. Solomon) the chairman
of the Committee on Rules, and other colleagues that have worked toward
adoption of this important measure. I am proud to join our colleagues
in support of this legislation. Again, Mr. Speaker, I want to also
commend the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter), the chairman of the
Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific for his leadership and support of
this measure.
Mr. Speaker, the people of Taiwan should be congratulated for the
outstanding accomplishments of this thriving and prosperous democracy
of 22 million people. Taiwan is one of the world's most compelling
economic success stories, rising from the destruction of World War II
to become a global trading power with foreign exchange reserves today
second only to Japan.
Despite the financial crisis that has crippled many countries in
Asia, Taiwan has shown great resilience. While South Korea, Indonesia,
Japan and other neighbors have stagnant economies, Taiwan's gross
domestic product is projected to increase by 6 percent in 1998. This
maintains the momentum of the past three decades, where Taiwan's GDP
growth averaged 9 percent.
{time} 1730
Taiwan's stock market has also survived very well with market
capitalization of some $300 billion. Taiwan's stock market has
surpassed Hong Kong's to rank second only to Japan's stock market in
Asia.
Mr. Speaker, in light of Taiwan's relative prosperity, her offer to
extend financial assistance to her Asian neighbors undergoing financial
turmoil is welcome and highly commendable. Whether Taiwan's assistance
be provided through APEC or another forum, the United States should
recognize and support Taiwan's significant efforts to promote economic
stability in the Asian Pacific region.
Taiwan must also be commended its significant progress towards
democratization with free and fair elections being held at the local
and national levels. This movement came to full bloom in 1996 with
Taiwan's first Presidential elections. The historic elections were
conducted democratically and peacefully despite the threats and
provocations issued by the People's Republic of China.
In the spring of 1996, I supported the actions taken by the Clinton
administration in sending the Nimitz and the Independence carrier
groups to the Taiwan Strait to maintain peace. China's missile tests
and threatened use of force contravened China's commitment under the
1979 and 1982 joint communiques to resolve Taiwan's status by peaceful
means. The joint communiques along with the Taiwan's Relations Act are
the foundation of our One China policy which fundamentally stresses
that force should not be used in resolution of the Taiwan question.
Clearly it is in the interests of the United States and all parties
that the obligation be honored.
Mr. Speaker, in light of our understanding of the One China policy
and its support of the peaceful resolution of the Taiwan Strait issue,
I will join our colleagues in urging that the President raise this
matter in his summit meeting with Chinese President Jiang Zemin.
I support this legislation and urge my colleagues to support it and
to adopt it.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Solomon) the sponsor of this resolution and the distinguished
chairman of our Committee on Rules.
(Mr. SOLOMON asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Gilman) for yielding this time to me, and I certainly thank the
chairman of the subcommittee as well.
Mr. Speaker, as the author of this very simple resolution, let me
just say
[[Page H4281]]
that it is necessary because of the continuing belligerent attitude of
the Communist Chinese towards our great friends, the people in Taiwan,
our stronger allies in the history of this Nation. We all know that
Communist China has repeatedly and brazenly refused to renounce the
potential use of military force to resolve its disputes with Taiwan,
and it has shown on more than one occasion that it is willing to
intimidate Taiwan with military force in these modern times, and that
is terrible.
Let us recall that in March 1996, while Taiwan was conducting the
very first free head of state elections in Chinese history, Communist
China sought to intimidate the people of Taiwan by firing missiles just
off Taiwan's coast. It was in anticipation of just this sort of rogue
behavior which China is noted for by the Communist Chinese that induced
those of us involved in writing the Taiwan Relations Act back 19 years
ago to insert provisions designed to help defend Taiwan from Chinese
military aggression. Go back and read the Taiwan Relations Act, and
those provisions clearly state that the United States expects that the
future of Taiwan will be decided by strictly peaceful means, and that
any attempt by China to do otherwise would be considered a matter of
grave concern to the United States of America while obliging the United
States to maintain the capacity to resist any resort to force against
Taiwan.
My colleagues, that is the law of the land, that is the American law,
and it was in response to China's increasingly belligerent tone that
prompted this House of Representatives in March of 1996 to pass the Cox
resolution, which called on China to renounce force and explicitly
informed Congress' views that the United States should, in fact, assist
in defending Taiwan from invasion, attack or blockade by the People's
Republic of China.
Regrettably this resolution today also seems necessary because of a
disturbing trend in the Clinton administration's policy toward both
countries. President Clinton has had in place a policy of unmitigated
appeasement towards Communist China for 5 years now, but what is new,
Mr. Speaker, is that in the past few months leading up to President
Clinton's summit in Beijing, his administration has signaled in various
ways that it may be ready to reach another Yalta accord with Communist
China that would sell Taiwan down the drain. We have heard talk of yet
another communique with the PRC. We have heard Secretary Albright talk
of a strategic partnership with the PRC, and we have seen several
former high-ranking Clinton administration officials, and I must say
Republican administration officials as well that served under Reagan
and Bush, touring China and Taiwan recently on what looks conspicuously
like officially sanctioned missions and delivering the message that
Taiwan cannot expect any help from the United States. If it declares
independence, then China then invades.
These ``blame the victim'' statements are, of course, immoral, and
they are outrageous. They remind me of the sole statements we heard in
opposition to lifting the arms embargo from Bosnia from people who said
that doing so would embolden the Bosnians. Imagine that. We might just
have emboldened people who were being slaughtered, and now we just
might embolden our friends, our staunch allies in Taiwan by pressuring
the butchers of Beijing to renounce force.
Oh, no, Mr. Speaker, it is precisely because the approach of the
China appeasers lacks moral depth that also makes it so strategically
myopic and dangerous. Because the Communist leaders in Beijing also
lack any morality, they are bound to interpret these emanations from
the Clinton administration, if left unchecked, as a sign of dwindling
U.S. commitment to the defense of Taiwan. These are exactly the kinds
of green lights that Adolf Hitler received in the 1930s and Saddam
Hussein and Slobodan Milosevic received in the early 1990s, and we will
all know what happened each time that is. The fact is it is they, the
Communists, the butchers of Beijing, who will be responsible if they
invade Taiwan, and it is they who need to receive the message
unequivocally and repeatedly that we expect them to resist using force.
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I certainly want to compliment the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Solomon) for his deep understanding of the relationship existing
between our country and Taiwan, and certainly like to say for the
record I think the Clinton administration took appropriate action in
showing our friends in China that two naval embattled carrier groups
was sufficient to show that we also meant business. So I think along
those lines, Mr. Speaker, I think the administration did the
appropriate thing.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr.
Brown), a distinguished member of the Committee on International
Relations.
Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from American Samoa
for yielding this time to me.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution which calls upon
the United States to support the people of Taiwan in their
democratically-elected government in the face of uncertainties in this
increasingly volatile region of the world. I do so, however, with
reservations, since this resolution has been amended by the Committee
on International Relations since its introduction to reaffirm our
adherence to the One China policy.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to address a related injustice facing the
people of Taiwan. Since 1972, the Taiwanese people have been denied
membership in the World Health Organization. Young children and older
citizens who are particularly vulnerable to a host of emerging
infectious diseases are without the knowledge and the expertise shared
among the member nations of the World Health Organization. With
increased travel and trade among the members of our global village,
these diseases surely do not stop at national borders and boundaries.
So why should we erect boundaries to shared information which would
help improve the lives and the health of the 20 million inhabitants of
Taiwan?
Due to Chinese opposition Taiwan continues to be denied WHO
membership. This hurts the people of Taiwan, and importantly it denies
the WHO and all of us in the world community the benefit of Taiwan's
knowledge and expertise.
Interestingly the world gains more from Taiwanese membership in the
WHO probably than Taiwan gains from membership in the WHO.
The people of Taiwan and their democratically-elected government face
many serious threats to their sovereignty. Chinese aggression and their
continuing threat of force to settle their claim to Taiwan is a serious
problem. Equally threatening are their efforts to continue to thwart
Taiwan's efforts to help improve the health of its citizens.
I have introduced legislation urging the President to press Taiwan's
case for membership in the WHO and to urge my colleagues to join in
this effort. As a free people, we should support the will of the people
of Taiwan to choose their own destiny.
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished
gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter).
Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res.
270 and thank the gentleman from New York for yielding me this time.
As everyone in this body knows, the Congress has long played a
critical role in the Taiwan relationship. Together with the other body,
we have worked with the various Presidential administrations over the
years to ensure adequate U.S. arms sales to Taiwan to meet Taiwan's
defense needs without provoking an arms race with the PRC or other
countries in the region, and this body is, after all, the actual author
of the Taiwan Relations Act. It remains the law of the land.
Taiwan and the U.S. now share numerous fundamental values both
economically and politically. Last February Taiwan and the United
States concluded a market access agreement which provides immediate
market access for U.S. agriculture products in Taiwan, for example, as
a way of loosening restrictions on U.S. telecommunications firms
operating in Taiwan as well. This is important because really it paves
the way for Taiwan's membership in the WTO.
[[Page H4282]]
Politically Taiwan is now a vibrant democracy characterized by free
elections, a free press and dynamic political campaigns. Taiwan's
political metamorphosis over the last decade has been fundamentally
impressive and serves as a model for peaceful democratic change in the
region and beyond.
H. Con. Res. 270, which was introduced by the distinguished gentleman
from New York (Mr. Solomon) sends a clear message of Congress' deep
respect and affinity for the people of Taiwan as well as a firm
commitment to seeking a peaceful resolution regarding Taiwan's future.
While it is true only the Chinese on both sides of the strait can
determine their future, the United States must continue to play a role
in ensuring the peace and stability of the region.
Mr. Speaker, this Member would commend the gentleman from New York
for introducing H. Con. Res. 270 at this important point in U.S.-
Chinese-Taiwanese relations. Mr. Speaker, I think it is particularly
important that the Congress act on this legislation before the upcoming
summit, and I urge adoption of H. Con. Res. 270.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Rohrabacher), a member of our committee.
Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution,
which leaves no doubt on either side of the Taiwan Straits as to just
what is American policy.
And it was not that long ago that this administration proclaimed
strategic ambiguity as its position on certain issues concerning the
China-Taiwan situation. More recently we have been told that President
Clinton had some intention of proposing a strategic partnership to the
Communist Chinese when he will visit Communist China later on this
month. What we need to know is what is a strategic partnership; what
does that mean?
When we talk about a strategic partnership with a Communist
dictatorship, no wonder the democratic peoples around the Pacific begin
to worry about whether or not the United States will stand strong with
them against a belligerent totalitarian government like they have in
Beijing. A strategic partnership? Well, I hope that President Clinton
has put that one away and decided not to use that.
This resolution underscores the Shanghai Declaration that was put in
place by President Nixon so long ago during the cold war at a time when
it made a great deal of sense to try to make sure that we were not in a
conflict with China or with Russia at the same time that that
declaration made it very clear that we believe in a One China policy.
That was our concession, and their concession was that they would only
use peaceful means to settle any dispute with Taiwan.
{time} 1745
This resolution reconfirms that declaration so long ago. Some people
have been trying to suggest this has been an evolution of our policy,
that in some way the talk of strategic partnership may well mean that
we have not really maintained this same stalwart position on opposing
the use of force against Taiwan.
No, that is what this resolution is about. We again state for the
record in this resolution that as far as the Congress goes, yes, there
is one China, and, yes, we insist that no force be used against the
free and democratic people of Taiwan.
By the way, one note about one China. I believe there is one China,
and, just as in the basis of what most Americans believe to be
legitimate government, legitimate government is that government that
has the consent of the governed. Legitimate government is that
government that respects the human rights of its people. That is what
our Founding Fathers said, that is what George Washington fought for,
and that is what we write in our own founding documents.
So if there is one China, which I believe in, that one China has only
one elected government, because the government in Beijing is not an
elected government. We have one elected government in China and that is
in Taiwan. We have a group of gangsters on the mainland. We have to
make sure there is not force or violence to make sure that those two do
not go into dispute.
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute.
Mr. Speaker, I think, just for the clarity of the record, that the
administration is quite clear as far as its policies concerning the one
China policy. It is quite clear the administration policy is one of
engagement with the People's Republic of China. It is quite firm also,
the administration's policy towards Taiwan is to continue the current
relationship as it has been in the past. So with regard to the comments
of my good friend from California, I think there is no ambiguity about
the policy of the administration.
Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, this is an important resolution stressing Taiwan's
importance to our own Nation, and it is supported by the administration
and deserves bipartisan support. Accordingly, I urge my colleagues in
the House to fully support the measure.
Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H. Con. Res.
270, the resolution on Taiwan. The Congress has always been a strong
supporter of Taiwan. Taiwan's transition to a democratic state with a
vibrant free market economy has solidified Congressional support. The
emergence of a democratic Taiwan is indeed one of the most encouraging
developments in Asia over the last decade. A democratic Taiwan is a
shining example to all the countries in Asia which linger under the
control of one man or one party. This resolution sends a clear signal
of our continued interest in preserving Taiwan's achievement.
This resolution calls on the President to seek at his upcoming summit
in Beijing a commitment by the Chinese to renounce the use of force
against Taiwan. I think this is in China's interest. Sowing the seeds
of fear in the Taiwan Strait benefits neither side given the growing
trade, travel, and investment between both countries.
Let me also make clear that this resolution, while noting the United
States' acknowledgement that China believes that Taiwan is part of
China--the so-called ``One China'' policy, is not an endorsement by the
Congress of the Chinese perspective. Taiwan no longer claims that it
controls China. Only when China makes a similar declaration will both
sides be able to move beyond their present conflict to its resolution.
There is one China, but it does not include Taiwan.
I would also take this opportunity to urge the Administration to
fulfill the commitment it made in its Taiwan policy review to seek
membership for Taiwan in appropriate international organizations.
Taiwan's singular political and economic achievement give it the
potential to play a tremendous constructive role in the international
community. As this resolution suggests, Taiwan has proposed to assist
its neighbors in the recent Asian financial crisis. It could play more
of a role if given the chance. I would urge special consideration be
given to finding a role for Taiwan in the World Bank, International
Monetary Fund, and World Health Organization. Just as it made no sense
for the United States to pretend that China did not exist during the
Cold War, it is equal nonsense to pretend that Taiwan does not exist in
the post Cold War period.
I urge my colleagues to support this resolution of which I am a
cosponsor.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this
resolution, which asks the President to seek to improve the
relationship between Taiwan and China.
President Clinton's trip to China this month presents an opportunity
to address a multitude of issues which will substantially effect the
Pacific Rim, as well as American interests in the Pacific Rim. Taiwan's
security is one such issue that should be discussed.
I understand that the relationship between Taiwan and the Chinese
government is a tense one. This resolution seeks to reduce that tension
by asking China to abstain from the use of military force in resolving
the dispute.
In 1996, when China displayed a show of force in the Taiwan Strait,
it was not just the people of China and Taiwan that were ill at ease,
it was unsettling for the entire region. There is little doubt that the
fragility of the situation poses a significant threat to American
businesses that we want to protect.
I encourage the President to express to China our concerns for the
stability of the region, and the importance that any dispute be
resolved in a peaceful manner. And announce his support and America's
support for the safety and security of the Democratic country of
Taiwan--the Republic of China.
Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 270,
acknowledging the importance of the Taiwanese leadership in the current
Asian financial crisis, as well as the importance of the stability of
the Taiwanese
[[Page H4283]]
Strait. I consider myself a good friend of Taiwan, and I am proud of
the relationship that my Congressional District has with the government
of Taiwan. Mr. Speaker, we all know that international trade is the
essence of prosperity in this new economic era. There is perhaps no
country which offers more promise for the United States and my home
state of Texas than Taiwan.
I am proud of the role I have played in laying the foundation for our
nation's relationship with Taiwan. It is my belief that the United
States should embrace the people of Taiwan in matters of trade as the
friends that they are.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Stearns). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) that the House
suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res.
270, as amended.
The question was taken.
Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not
present.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 5, rule I, and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.
____________________