[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 111 (Friday, August 7, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1578-E1579]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                          THE FUTURE OF TAIWAN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 6, 1998

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, today I received a copy of a speech by the 
President of the Republic of China, Taiwan, Lee Teng-Hui, which he 
delivered before the Thirteenth Plenary Session of the National 
Unification Council on July 22, 1998.
  Minister Lee's speech outlines his thoughts and aspirations for the 
future of Taiwan, especially the question of unification with the 
People's Republic of China. His remarks are thought-provoking and 
insightful and considering the interest in the future of Taiwan in this 
body, I urge my colleagues to read President Lee's speech.
  Accordingly, Mr. Speaker, I ask that President Lee's speech be 
inserted at this point in the Congressional Record.

   Closing Remarks to the Thirteenth Plenary Session of the National 
   Unification Council by Lee Teng-hui, President, Republic of China

       Vice Chairman Lein; Vice Chairman Siew; Vice Chairman Hsu; 
     Members of the Council; Members of the Research Council:
       I would first like to thank everyone again for attending 
     the conference today. We have just heard reports from 
     Minister Hu, Chairman Chang and Director General Yin. These 
     reports have inspired ample discussion of the foreign 
     relations of the Republic of China, the cross-strait 
     relationship, and communist China's strategic maneuvers 
     toward Taiwan. In total, councilors have expressed their 
     views. I already have made note of these valuable opinions 
     and will request the Executive Yuan to study them further. 
     Thank you for your advice.
       Since assuming the office of President, I have on many 
     occasions declared that the future of the nation is an issue 
     of utmost seriousness; not a romantic aspiration. Today, we 
     stand poised to forge ahead into the 21st century, working 
     toward national development on a grander scale. At this 
     pivotal point, we must all give rational and pragmatic 
     thought to this matter of epochal importance.
       On the eve of the new century, let us look back on the 
     state of our world. The Cold War has faded into history, and 
     communism is in full retreat. Even though communism and one-
     party rule remain entrenched on the Chinese mainland, the 
     system is facing strong demands for change both from within 
     and without. Try as they may, the mainland authorities cannot 
     check or deflect these demands. The tide of democracy defies 
     obstruction. Indeed, we believe that Peking has no choice but 
     to squarely face this global trend and adopt thorough 
     reforms.
       Therefore, we must take this opportunity to once again 
     state clearly and solemnly: China must be reunified. However, 
     this reunification must be under a system of democracy, 
     freedom and equitable prosperity that will safeguard the 
     rights and interests of all Chinese, and is in keeping with 
     the global trend. The nation should, by no means, be 
     reunified under the proven failure of communism or the so-
     called ``one country, two systems'' formula.
       Our position on this issue is firmly grounded in our belief 
     that:
       First, reunification under communism or the ``one country, 
     two systems'' formula will not help bring democracy to the 
     whole of China. Instead, it will send the people of the 
     mainland even further from their aspirations to enjoy a 
     democratic way of life.
       Second, only if china is reunified under a democratic 
     system can the strengths of Taiwan, Hong Kong and the Chinese 
     mainland be forged together as a force for regional 
     stability. A reunified China that is closed and autocratic 
     would necessarily provoke anxiety in neighboring countries, 
     upset the power balance in Asia and threaten the peace and 
     stability of the Asia-Pacific region.
       Third, only the implementation of a comprehensive 
     democratic system, through the rule of law and transparent 
     political processes, will mutual trust be enhanced between 
     the two sides. And only democracy will ensure that both sides 
     in fact honor their agreements and guarantee a new win-win 
     situation.
       Once again, we resolutely reject the so-called ``one 
     country, two systems'' scheme. It has a number of fundamental 
     flaws, the first of which is ambiguity. While the formula 
     seems to offer two equal systems, it in fact makes a very 
     unequal distinction between central and local. The formula is 
     also contradictory, for it seeks to wed communism with 
     capitalism. Finally, the ``one

[[Page E1579]]

     country, two systems'' model is undemocratic, power is 
     exercised from the top down, not from the bottom up. This 
     runs completely counter to the democratic reunification that 
     we seek.
       Hence, we further advocate that:
       First, although there will be only one China in the future, 
     at present there is ``one divided China.'' The Republic of 
     China was established in 1912, and although the government 
     moved to Taiwan in 1949, the Peking authorities have never 
     exercised jurisdiction over Taiwan. That the two sides of the 
     Taiwan Strait are ruled by two separate political entities is 
     an objective fact that cannot be denied.
       Second, the reunification of China should proceed in a 
     gradual and orderly fashion. When the conditions are ripe, 
     success will come naturally. No timetable need be set. The 
     pace of democratization on the Chinese mainland and the 
     improvement of cross-strait relations will decide the 
     progress towards peaceful reunification.
       Third, prior to reunification, the people of the Republic 
     of China on Taiwan should possess the right to full self-
     defense. This is the inherent right of the 21.8 million 
     people on Taiwan. It is also necessary to preserve the 
     achievements of democratic reform in the Taiwan area and 
     encourage democratic change on the Chinese mainland.
       Fourth, in light of the needs for survival and development, 
     the people of the Republic of China on Taiwan should enjoy 
     the right to participate in international activities as they 
     did in the fifties and sixties. This way, the people on both 
     sides will have equal opportunity to contribute to the 
     international community.
       Fifth, Taiwan and the mainland should expand exchanges and 
     enhance the prosperity of both sides. Cooperation should 
     replace antagonism, and reciprocity should dissolve 
     animosity. In this fashion, a propitious foundation can be 
     laid for the future peaceful reunification of China.
       Finally, the two sides should pursue full communication on 
     the principles of equality and mutual respect in order to 
     resolve differences and seek common ground. They should hold 
     consultations based on the reality of a divided China and 
     sign a cross-strait peace agreement, thereby ending the state 
     of hostility, promoting harmony in cross-strait relations, 
     and preserving the stability of the Asia-Pacific region.
       Over the past ten years, the ROC government has followed a 
     positive and pragmatic mainland policy in an effort to 
     promote salutary cross-strait interaction and move towards 
     democratic reunification. As early as May 1991, I declared an 
     end to the Period of National Mobilization for Suppression of 
     the Communist Rebellion, thereby formally renouncing the use 
     of force as a means of resolving the issue of reunification. 
     Also over the past decade, the ROC has established the 
     National Unification Council the Mainland Affairs Council, 
     and the Straits Exchange Foundation. Up to the present, the 
     two sides have held eighteen rounds of talks. At the same 
     time, we have actively worked to build the necessary legal 
     foundation and put cross-strait exchanges on a proper legal 
     track.
       From 1987 through the beginning of this year, residents of 
     Taiwan have made more than 12 million trips to the Chinese 
     mainland. By 1997, the amount of trade between the two sides 
     had reached US $26.4 billion--sixteen times greater than the 
     1987 figure. Meanwhile, entrepreneurs from Taiwan have agreed 
     to invest more than US $38.1 billion on the Chinese mainland, 
     making them the second largest source of outside investment 
     there. The ROC government has also raised numerous friendly 
     and concrete proposals concerning such issues as meetings 
     between the top leaders of both sides, cooperation in the 
     international area, an offshore transshipment center, 
     cultural exchanges, agricultural cooperation, and the reform 
     of state enterprises. It is through the perseverance and hard 
     work of the ROC that cross-strait relations have been built 
     from the ground up. Relations have progressed without fail, 
     and exchanges have expanded without setback. A new 
     opportunity for peaceful cross-strait competition has been 
     created.
       What is regrettable, However, is that the Peking 
     authorities have never been able to shake their rigid 
     mentality. Not only have they been unable to squarely face 
     the state of private-sector exchanges across the strait and 
     respond to the ROC``s well-intentioned expectations, but they 
     have stepped up the promotion of a Taiwan policy that seeks 
     to ``limit (our) foreign relations, suppress (our) military, 
     and bind (our) economy (to theirs)''. This has hindered and 
     obstructed the development of normal cross-strait 
     relations, forcing us to adopt a counter policy 
     emphasizing ``patience over haste'' and ``steady progress 
     for the long term.''
       Last year, the mainland authorities convened the 15th 
     National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party and the 
     First Plenary Session of the Ninth People's Congress, during 
     which their new leadership was formed. It is our hope that 
     this new leadership will pragmatically face up to the global 
     trends of democracy, globalization, and information in the 
     21st century, and demonstrate the broadness of mind and new 
     vision necessary to bring about a new era of reciprocity and 
     mutual trust between Taipei and Peking, thereby achieving 
     win-win for both sides.
       In fact, the accumulated experience over decades of the 
     Republic of China on Taiwan in the areas of political, 
     economic and social development would serve as a more 
     valuable reference for the Chinese mainland than that of any 
     other country. In particular, the ROC's tangible success in 
     realizing democracy fully demonstrates that Chinese people 
     are capable of implementing democracy. We are pleased to see 
     that the mainland authorities have in recent years undertaken 
     the promotion of grass-roots democracy in some areas. 
     Furthermore, we look forward to even more active efforts on 
     the part of Peking to carry forward political reforms in 
     order to widen the scope and degree of democracy, further 
     release the wisdom and energy of the residents of the 
     mainland, and establish a diverse, open and modern society.
       Just recently, U.S. President Bill Clinton traveled to the 
     Chinese mainland, and his visit brought new changes to the 
     relationship between Washington and Peking. On the mainland, 
     he spread the messages of democracy, freedom, human rights, 
     market economy, open society, and peaceful dialogue. The 
     visit has been the focus of much concern, and all expect it 
     to lead to a more diversified, democratic, and free Chinese 
     mainland that will return to the right side of history.
       We have surely taken note of the possible impact that 
     President Clinton's remarks may have on interaction across 
     the Taiwan Strait, as well as on our efforts to promote 
     pragmatic diplomacy. The ROC government agencies concerned 
     certainly will not ignore the importance that the public 
     attaches to these developments, will carefully assess the 
     effects and respond appropriately. However, in light of the 
     strong ties and close friendship between the ROC and the 
     U.S., as well as our common ideals and interest in the 
     pursuit of democracy, freedom, human rights, peace, and 
     prosperity, we are confident that through the cooperation and 
     efforts of people in both nations, ROC-U.S. relations will 
     continue to grow stronger. Only by allowing the enhancement 
     of ROC-U.S. relations, the improvement of cross-strait 
     relations, and the development of ROC-PRC relations to 
     proceed in tandem, can we establish what President Clinton 
     referred to last October as a healthy framework for a 
     triangular relationship. And only in this way can we ensure 
     peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.
       The ROC has spared no effort to establish mutual trust and 
     enhance positive interaction between the two sides of the 
     Taiwan Strait. Although three years ago Peking unilaterally 
     suspended bilateral consultations between the two sides, 
     Taipei has never abandoned hope for dialogue. In April of 
     this year, the Straits Exchange Foundation and the 
     Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait held talks 
     and reached an agreement to have Mr. Koo Chen-fu visit the 
     Chinese mainland this autumn. It is my earnest hope that the 
     two sides will take advantage of this opportunity to engage 
     in a frank exchange of views in order to resume 
     institutionalized consultations and formulate a feasible 
     blueprint for the improvement of bilateral relations and the 
     democratic reunification of China.
       Ladies and gentlemen: Since the day it was founded, the 
     Republic of China has faced incessant challenges. Since the 
     government relocated in Taiwan, the ROC has existed for a 
     long time in an environment made difficult by military 
     threats and diplomatic isolation. However, under the 
     concerted efforts of its government and people, the Republic 
     of China has overcome the obstacles and built the world-
     acclaimed ``Taiwan experience.'' Today, the ROC stands as a 
     top-ranking nation in terms of gross national product, per 
     capita income, economic growth rate, foreign exchange 
     reserves, total trade volume, total outbound investment, and 
     level of technological development. The ROC is also a rare 
     example in modern history; one that was able to successfully 
     achieve democratization while maintaining economic 
     development and social stability. Thus, it is my deeply held 
     belief that the most significant aspect of the ``Taiwan 
     experience'' lies in the dauntless courage of the government 
     and people of the ROC and their ability to work hard together 
     and constantly make adjustments in order to overcome all 
     difficulties.
       In the larger perspective, the ``Taiwan experience'' 
     represents not only the cooperative fruits of the 21.8 
     million hardworking people on Taiwan, but also a valuable 
     asset for all Chinese people. It is the developmental 
     experience achieved by Chinese people, with Chinese 
     knowledge, on Chinese land, and most suitable to the 
     conditions of the Chinese nation. We are willing to share 
     this experience with our fellow compatriots on the mainland. 
     We hope that with successive democratization, modernization, 
     and the rule of law on both sides, Taiwan and the mainland 
     can work together to create a free, democratic and equitably 
     prosperous new China.
       Your active discussions today serve as an excellent source 
     of valuable opinions on current mainland policy and the 
     future of China. I am confident that after a full exchange of 
     views at all levels of society, we will certainly be able to 
     form an even broader consensus and work toward the grand task 
     of reunifying China under democracy.
       In closing, I would like to offer all of you my best wishes 
     for good health and happiness. Thank you.



     

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