[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 23, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H1531-H1535]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     COMMEMORATING THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TAIWAN RELATIONS ACT

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 56) commemorating the 20th 
anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 56

       Whereas April 10, 1999, will mark the 20th anniversary of 
     the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act, codifying in 
     public law the basis for continued commercial, cultural, and 
     other relations between the United States and Taiwan;
       Whereas the Taiwan Relations Act was advanced by Congress 
     and supported by the executive branch as a critical tool to 
     preserve and promote ties the American people have enjoyed 
     with the people of Taiwan;
       Whereas the Taiwan Relations Act has been instrumental in 
     maintaining peace, security, and stability in the Taiwan 
     Strait since its enactment in 1979;
       Whereas when the Taiwan Relations Act was enacted in 1979, 
     it affirmed that the United States decision to establish 
     diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China was 
     based on the expectation that the future of Taiwan would be 
     determined by peaceful means;
       Whereas officials of the People's Republic of China refuse 
     to renounce the use of force against democratic Taiwan;
       Whereas the defense modernization and weapons procurement 
     efforts by the People's Republic of China, as documented in 
     the February 1, 1999, report by the Secretary of Defense on 
     ``The Security Situation in the Taiwan Strait'', could 
     threaten cross-Strait stability and United States interests 
     in the Asia-Pacific region;
       Whereas the Taiwan Relations Act provides explicit 
     guarantees that the United States will make available defense 
     articles and services necessary in such quantity as may be 
     necessary to enable Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-
     defense capability;
       Whereas section 3(b) of the Taiwan Relations Act requires 
     timely reviews by United States military authorities of 
     Taiwan's defense needs in connection with recommendations to 
     the President and the Congress;
       Whereas Congress and the President are committed by Article 
     3(b) of the Taiwan Relations Act to determine the nature and 
     quantity of Taiwan's legitimate self-defense needs;
       Whereas it is the policy of the United States to reject any 
     attempt to curb the provision by the United States of defense 
     articles and services legitimately needed for Taiwan's self-
     defense;
       Whereas it is the policy set forth in the Taiwan Relations 
     Act to promote extensive commercial relations between the 
     people of the United States and the people of Taiwan and such 
     commercial relations would be further enhanced by Taiwan's 
     membership in the World Trade Organization;
       Whereas Taiwan today is a full-fledged multi-party 
     democracy fully respecting human rights and civil liberties 
     and serves as a successful model of democratic reform for the 
     People's Republic of China;
       Whereas it is United States policy to promote extensive 
     cultural relations with Taiwan, ties that should be further 
     encouraged and expanded;
       Whereas any attempt to determine Taiwan's future by other 
     than peaceful means, including boycotts or embargoes, would 
     be considered a threat to the peace and security of the 
     Western Pacific and of grave concern to the United States;
       Whereas in the spirit of the Taiwan Relations Act, which 
     encourages the future of democratic Taiwan to be determined 
     by peaceful means, Taiwan has engaged the People's Republic 
     of China in a cross-Strait dialogue by advocating that 
     peaceful reunification be based on a democratic system of 
     government being implemented on the mainland; and
       Whereas the Taiwan Relations Act established the American 
     Institute on Taiwan

[[Page H1532]]

     (AIT) to carry out the programs, transactions, and other 
     relations conducted or carried out by the United States 
     Government with respect to Taiwan and AIT should be 
     recognized for the successful role it has played in 
     sustaining and enhancing United States relations with 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 should reaffirm its commitment to the 
     Taiwan Relations Act and the specific guarantees for the 
     provision of legitimate defense articles to Taiwan contained 
     therein;
       (2) the Congress has grave concerns over China's military 
     modernization and weapons procurement program, especially 
     ballistic missile capability and deployment that seem 
     particularly directed toward threatening Taiwan;
       (3) the President should direct all appropriate officials 
     to raise these grave concerns about new Chinese military 
     threats to Taiwan with officials from the People's Republic 
     of China;
       (4) the President should seek from leaders of the People's 
     Republic of China a public renunciation of any use of force, 
     or threat to use force, against Taiwan;
       (5) the President should provide annually a report 
     detailing the military balance on both sides of the Taiwan 
     Strait, including the impact of procurement and modernization 
     programs;
       (6) the executive branch should inform the appropriate 
     committees of Congress when officials from Taiwan seek to 
     purchase defense articles for self-defense;
       (7) the United States Government should encourage a 
     regional high-level dialogue on the best means to ensure 
     stability, peace, and freedom of the seas in East Asia;
       (8) the President should encourage further dialogue between 
     democratic Taiwan and the People's Republic of China; and
       (9) it should be United States policy in conformity with 
     Article 4(d) of the Taiwan Relations Act to publicly support 
     Taiwan's admission to the World Trade Organization as soon as 
     possible on its own merits and encourage others to adopt 
     similar policies.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Gilman) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) 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 House Concurrent Resolution 56.
  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 am pleased to rise in support of House 
Concurrent Resolution 56, commemorating the 20th anniversary of the 
Taiwan Relations Act, and I want to thank the distinguished chairman of 
our Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific of the Committee on 
International Relations, the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter), as 
well as the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher) and all the 
other cosponsors for their efforts in helping to bring this resolution 
to the floor today.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have introduced this resolution 
commemorating this landmark piece of foreign policy regulation. It is 
only appropriate that the House make note of the Taiwan Relations Act, 
which serves as a basis for continued commercial, cultural, security 
and other relations between our Nation and Taiwan.
  The Taiwan Relations Act was adopted into law on April 10, 1979, and 
has served as a critical element in preserving and promoting ties 
between our Nation and Taiwan. The TRA has been instrumental in 
maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait since it was 
enacted in 1979, and it is my hope that the TRA will continue to serve 
to ensure that the future of Taiwan be determined by peaceful means. 
Regrettably, the People's Republic of China has refused to renounce the 
use of force against Taiwan.
  Our Nation is pleased with the flourishing on Taiwan of a fully-
fledged, multi-party democracy which respects human rights and civil 
liberties. It is hoped that Taiwan will serve as an example to the PRC 
and to others in the region in that regard and will encourage progress 
in the furthering of Democratic principles and practices, respect for 
human rights, and the enhancement of the rule of law.
  The Congress looks forward to a broadening and deepening of 
friendship and cooperation with Taiwan in the years ahead for the 
mutual benefit of the peoples of the United States and for the peoples 
of Taiwan.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution has an impressive list of cosponsors, 
and I urge my colleagues in the House to support H. Con. Res. 56 
commemorating this distinctive piece of legislation and the unique ties 
between the peoples of the United States and Taiwan.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, 
and I rise in strong support of this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I first want to congratulate the distinguished chairman 
of our Committee on International Relations, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Gilman), for introducing this legislation, as well as the 
chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, my good friend 
from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter), and all other colleagues who have 
cosponsored this legislation.
  This legislation, Mr. Speaker, was necessary when the United States 
broke diplomatic relations with the Republic of China in Taiwan after 
establishing full diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of 
China 20 years ago.
  The Taiwan Relations Act provides us with the mechanism for 
maintaining continued security, economic, cultural and political 
relations between the United States and Taiwan. It has been the key to 
maintaining close relationships between the American people and the 
people of Taiwan.
  In the past 20 years, Mr. Speaker, Taiwan has undergone perhaps more 
dramatic change than any other country on the face of this planet. 
Taiwan has emerged from a long tradition of authoritarian rule and it 
has become a full-fledged political democracy, with free elections, 
free press, freedom of religion, and a multi-party democracy. Just a 
few years ago, the people of Taiwan participated, in the first time in 
the history of the Chinese people, in the direct and Democratic 
election of a president.
  Taiwan has made incredible progress in the economic sphere. It is now 
viewed, properly, as one of the most successful economies on the face 
of this planet and is one of our key trading partners.
  It is intriguing to note, Mr. Speaker, that while we are celebrating 
and commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, the 
20th year of establishing full diplomatic relations between the 
People's Republic of China and the United States passed almost 
unnoticed. The reason, of course, is that the American people have 
severe reservations about the continuing oppression of human rights on 
the mainland of China.
  House Concurrent Resolution 56 calls particular attention to the 
provisions of the Taiwan Relations Act which guarantee that the United 
States will continue to make available defense articles that are 
necessary for Taiwan's offense. In light of China's ominous military 
buildup in recent times of ballistic missile capabilities and other 
military resources directed at Taiwan, this provision is extremely 
important and I welcome that our resolution reaffirms our commitment to 
Taiwan's defense.
  We also need to assure, Mr. Speaker, that Taiwan is able to 
participate in all international organizations. We particularly need to 
support the participation of Taiwan in the World Trade Organization. By 
every conceivable yardstick, Taiwan has earned the right to full and 
unrestricted membership in the World Trade Organization, and I call on 
our government to support Taiwan's membership.
  I urge my colleagues to adopt this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from 
Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter), the vice chairman of our Committee on 
International Relations.
  (Mr. BEREUTER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me

[[Page H1533]]

this time, and as chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific 
of the Committee on International Relations, this Member rises in 
support of H. Con. Res. 56, the resolution before the House 
commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act.
  Following President Carter's decision in 1979 to terminate relations 
with the Republic of China and diplomatically recognize the mainland 
People's Republic of China, a new American relationship with Taiwan was 
necessitated. As a result, the Taiwan Relations Act, often referred to 
as the TRA, was enacted on April 10, 1979, and continues today to serve 
as the basis for continued commercial, culture, and other relations 
between the United States and Taiwan.

                              {time}  1430

  Much has changed since the enactment of the TRA. Taiwan has developed 
into a full-fledged multiparty democracy that respects human rights and 
civil liberties. Taiwan has grown into one of the strongest and most 
developed economies in East Asia and it is America's seventh largest 
export market.
  Unfortunately, the rhetoric and military threats to Taiwan from the 
People's Republic of China have not abated. Indeed, from a technical 
military perspective that threat has actually increased, especially, it 
appears, in the last several months. Significant Chinese military 
exercises in the region have included live-fire exercises in March 1996 
and the firing of two missiles that impacted near Taiwan.
  Now there is an increased deployment of such offensive ballistic 
missiles in Fujian province, just across the strait from Taiwan. They 
clearly are there to threaten or act against Taiwan. Actually, 
according to recent newspaper reports, China has deployed more than 100 
additional ballistic missiles in mainland provinces close to the Strait 
of Taiwan. This would more than triple the number of missiles 
previously positioned in that area.
  House Concurrent Resolution 56 makes note of the Congress' grave 
concerns about these threats, seeks from the leaders of the People's 
Republic of China a public renunciation of the use of force or threat 
to use force against Taiwan, and reaffirms the United States' 
commitment to the TRA and the specific guarantees for the provision of 
legitimate defense articles to Taiwan contained therein. On this, the 
Congress and the U.S. Government should be clear. The resolution 
reaffirms that the policy of the United States remains the rejection of 
any attempt to curb the provision of defense articles and services by 
the United States which are legitimately needed for Taiwan's self-
defense.
  From diplomatic and legal perspectives, the relationship of the 
United States which it has maintained with Taiwan since 1979 is 
certainly unique. Yet in many ways our ties remain very normal and 
comprehensive. Indeed, they have been strengthened over the years, 
thanks to the solid foundation provided over the past 20 years by the 
Taiwan Relations Act and to the democratization of Taiwan by its 
leaders and its people. Thus, it is appropriate on the 20th anniversary 
for Congress to take the time to commemorate and reaffirm its 
commitment to the TRA and to Taiwan and its people.
  This Member wants to thank the chairman of the Committee on 
International Relations, the distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. 
Gilman), for his interest in working with this Member on this 20th year 
resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may claim the time of the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman).
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Bass). Is there objection to the request 
of the gentleman from Nebraska?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, like this Member, the chairman, of course, was here in 
1979 and voted for enactment of the TRA. This Member also certainly 
welcomes the opportunity to work with the gentleman from New York (Mr. 
Gilman) and with the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher) in 
crafting House Concurrent Resolution 56. All three of us independently, 
I think, had resolved to raise this issue by our own initiatives, and 
in this legislative product we are joined by colleagues from both sides 
of the aisle.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. 
Bereuter) has expired.
  (By unanimous consent, Mr. Bereuter was allowed to proceed for 2 
additional minutes.)
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, for example, and with emphasis, this 
Member wants to express his appreciation for the interest and support 
of the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), the 
ranking Democrat on the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, for 
cosponsoring H.Con.Res. 56 and for assisting this Member to facilitate 
our expeditious markup in both the committee and the subcommittee.
  Mr. Speaker, H.Con.Res. 56 is a very timely resolution, given the 
concerns that many Members of the House, including this Member, have 
about the current direction in Sino-American relations. Our relations 
with Beijing are increasingly problematic. However, it is important for 
all to know, especially for Beijing to know when making its foreign 
policy calculations, that when it comes to U.S. relations with Taiwan 
there has been no weakening in our resolve to help the Taiwanese 
provide for their defense. The solid direction provided for by the TRA 
has helped provide consistency in the demonstration of our resolve.
  Therefore, Mr. Speaker, this Member urges passage of H.Con.Res. 56.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher).
  Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Nebraska 
(Mr. Bereuter) for adding his prestige to this important resolution, 
and I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), of course, for 
taking the lead in the sponsorship role and in expediting today's 
markup.
  I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), of course, for 
his longtime support of human rights everywhere, but especially here 
concerning the Taiwan Relations Act and our confrontation with China on 
these very important and all-important human rights issues.
  House Concurrent Resolution 56, commemorating the 20th anniversary of 
the Taiwan Relations Act, was originally introduced in the Senate by 
Senator Frank Murkowski and by myself in the House as House Concurrent 
Resolution 53, to send an unmistakable message from the United States 
Congress to the people of democratic Taiwan. The bipartisan 
cosponsorship also sends a strong message to the communist Chinese that 
Congress is unified in its stand to steadfastly stand by our democratic 
allies in Taiwan under the carefully crafted terms of the Taiwan 
Relations Act.
  In recent years the balance of power in the Taiwan Strait has been 
altered by the unprecedented military modernization and missile buildup 
by the communist Chinese, who continue to threaten to take over Taiwan 
by force despite the fact that the Taiwan Relations Act commits them 
not to commit that act of force and violence in order to reunify Taiwan 
with the mainland.
  This resolution calls for the United States to continue to provide 
adequate defense materials and support to Taiwan in order to assure 
that the future of Taiwan is determined by peaceful and democratic 
means. This is totally consistent with the letter and the spirit of the 
Taiwan Relations Act which, of course, was brought about 20 years ago 
today.
  In effect, the resolution supports the cost of a cross-strait 
dialogue negotiating position of Taiwan President Lee that in order for 
a peaceful reunification to occur, Beijing must stop its threats of 
force and must implement real democratic government in mainland China.
  This House Resolution does not explicitly state the need for Taiwan 
to be included in a regional missile defense system. However, due to 
the communists' growing missile arsenal, the inclusion of Taiwan in 
regional defense forums and in missile defense programs I believe is 
essential.
  Having been in Taiwan during the recent legislative elections, I 
observed the enthusiastic participation of the majority of people in 
Taiwan in the

[[Page H1534]]

democratic process. There should be no mistake, whether in the United 
States or in China, that we value the friendship of the courageous, 
democracy-loving people in Taiwan and, yes, those democracy-loving 
people on the mainland of China as well. We are committed to standing 
by them, and no matter what the bluster and bully of the communist 
regime that now controls the mainland, we will now stay true to these 
principles as were laid out in the Taiwan Relations Act.
  The Taiwan Relations Act laid the foundation for peace and set in 
motion at the same time, 20 years ago, a democratization process. In 
Taiwan that democratization resulted in what even its former critics 
agree is now a full-fledged Western style democracy. This is a 
magnificent accomplishment for the people of Taiwan and something that 
we tip our hats to as well today.
  Unfortunately, on the mainland of China there seems to have been a 
backsliding in just the opposite direction. Since the Tiananmen Square 
massacre of China's democratic movement, the mainland has retrogressed 
and has slid deeper and deeper into repression, militarization and 
belligerence.
  The communists in Beijing have tried to sabotage the Taiwan Relations 
Act which, as I say, was the foundation laid for peace and 
democratization, and they tried to sabotage it through subtle changes, 
subtly implying that this does not apply any longer to the Taiwan 
Relations Act, and in some cases with some language that is just out 
and out confrontational, saying that the Taiwan Relations Act does not 
apply.
  We are putting the communist Chinese on notice today that the Taiwan 
Relations Act has brought peace, has brought stability to that area of 
the world, and we expect it to be followed to the letter. We will not 
see it changed subtly, we will not see it changed through 
confrontation, and any attempts to change the Taiwan Relations Act 
without another consultation agreement with all parties is considered 
an act of belligerency against the United States and an aggression upon 
the cause of peace in that part of the world.
  We hope that by reaffirming this 20th anniversary, that we can step 
forward again with peace for another 20 years and hopefully a new 
democratization process that will include all of China.
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this 
resolution, which expresses the sense of Congress that the United 
States should reaffirm its commitment to the Taiwan Relations Act and 
the specific guarantees for the provision of legitimate defense 
articles.
  The Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 linked the security interests of 
Taiwan to those of the United States. Since the adoption of this Act, 
the United States has made available to Taiwan those articles necessary 
for its self-defense.
  In 1996, 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, but it 
was unsettling for the entire region. The balance of power in the 
Taiwan Strait has been of concern to the Congress. I have grave 
concerns over China's military modernization and weapons procurement 
program. China's ballistic missile capability and the deployment of 
these systems poses a present danger to the future stability in Asia. 
There is little doubt that the fragility of this situation poses a 
significant threat to the stability of the Pacific Rim and to American 
interests in the region.
  The Taiwan Relations Act was enacted by Congress to promote the 
American relationship with Taiwan and to ensure that the future of 
Taiwan would be determined by peaceful means. I understand that the 
relationship Taiwan and the Chinese government is a tense one. Rather 
than taking sides between the two governments, this resolution seeks to 
reduce that tension by asking China to abstain from the use of military 
force in resolving the dispute.
  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.
  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 
56, commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act.
  Mr. Speaker, the Taiwan Relations Act has provided a stable 
foundation for peace and security in the Taiwan strait for 20 years. 
Since 1979, when the Taiwan Relations Act was passed, Taiwan has grown 
into a full fledged, multi-party democracy with a free press and 
respect for human rights.
  Additionally, the TRA has served both the United States and Taiwan 
well as the framework for our commercial relations. During the same 
twenty years, Taiwan has grown into an economic powerhouse and a major 
player in the global market. Even in the face of the Asian financial 
crisis, Taiwan continues to post impressive economic growth numbers. 
Through prudent economic policies that have kept foreign debt low and 
foreign exchange reserves high, Taiwan managed to post a 4.8% GDP 
growth rate last year.
  Mr. Speaker, the Taiwan Relations Act also speaks to the commitment 
of the United States to support Taiwan's Legitimate self-defense needs 
and recognizes that Taiwan's future must be decided by peaceful means 
only. The resolution before us today notes that cross-strait 
discussions are ongoing and urges the People's Republic of China to 
renounce the use of force as a means.
  Mr. Speaker, the Taiwan Relations Act has served the United States 
and Taiwan well as the policy framework that guides our relationship. I 
urge all my colleagues to recognize the success of the TRA and to 
support the resolution.
  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 56, 
a resolution commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations 
Act and reaffirming Congressional support for that law.
  For many years, I have been a strong supporter of the Taiwanese 
people. In the last Congress, I was proud to have cosponsored 
legislation urging Taiwan's membership in the World Health Organization 
and a resolution calling on Beijing to renounce the use of force in the 
Taiwan Strait. This year I look forward to playing a role in additional 
Congressional efforts to demonstrate America's continued strong support 
for Taiwan.
  Taiwan's transition to a democratic state with a vibrant free market 
economy continues to be the rock on which Congressional support is 
based. Nothing in Asia has been more spectacular than the rapid, 
democratic political evolution in Taiwan. the formation of the 
opposition Democratic Progressive Party in 1986, President Chiang 
Ching-kuo ending martial law in 1987, President Lee Teng-hui's ending 
the state of civil war with China and the special emergency powers 
which controlled dissent in Taiwan in 1991, and electing a new National 
Assembly in 1992 were all dynamic milestones on the road to Taiwan's 
complete political reformation. Since then, elections, including last 
December's legislative and municipal elections, have further 
demonstrated the political sophistication of the Taiwanese electorate.
  The emergence of a democratic Taiwan is one of the most encouraging 
developments in Asia, demonstrating to other states in the region which 
still linger under the control of one man or one party that the people 
can rule for themselves. Taiwan's success in managing the turbulence of 
last year's Asian economic crisis provides additional testimony to the 
strength of its institutions and people.
  Last year's elections sent a strong signal to Beijing that a change 
in relations between Taiwan and China cannot be imposed by China's 
self-appointed rulers. I believe that China should renounce the use of 
force as a means to bring about unification.
  I applaud the high level dialogue which has resumed between Taiwan 
and China. As we all know, Taiwan has extremely important economic and 
social ties with China. It would benefit both governments to take 
additional steps towards reducing cross Strait tensions. President 
Clinton's policy of engagement with China is the right policy. China is 
a critically important world power. We must engage China on economic, 
political, and security issues with the expectation that we can find a 
common ground for solving the world's problems. We need China's support 
if we are going to create an open international trading regime in which 
all countries benefit. We need China's support if we are going to 
prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. And we need 
China's support if we are going to ensure that the Asian region remains 
peaceful.
  But as we seek to engage China and deepen our relations with China, 
our search for common ground should not come at the price of our 
commitment to Taiwan's democracy and prosperity. I have urged and will 
continue to urge the Administration to fulfill the commitment it made 
in its 1994 Taiwan policy review to seek membership for Taiwan in 
appropriate international organizations. Taiwan's singular political 
and economic achievements give it the potential to play a tremendous 
constructive role in the international community. Taiwan has offered 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. But this year I think special emphasis should be placed 
on gaining

[[Page H1535]]

Taiwan's membership in the World Trade Organization.
  There has been much talk in recent weeks about the conclusion of a 
WTO accession agreement with China. I think we would all welcome a 
solid commitment by China to open its economy to fair trade and 
investment, but if such an agreement is not forthcoming, I think we 
should no longer hesitate to conclude an agreement with Taiwan. From 
all reports, Taiwan is just sentences away from completing the 
requirements for a WTO accession agreement with the United States. We 
should move rapidly to dot the ``I's'' and cross the ``t's'' for 
concluding the agreement and then press the other states to admit 
Taiwan even if China is not yet ready. If China does not want to be 
part of the international trading community, that is China's problem. 
It is not Taiwan's! And China should not be allowed to prevent Taiwan's 
entry into the WTO.
  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.
  As a senior member of the House International Relations Committee and 
as a Member on the Asia and Pacific Subcommittee, I promise to do 
everything I can to see that Taiwan and the Taiwanese people are not 
forgotten by the international community.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the legislation 
before the House, which commemorates the 20th anniversary of the Taiwan 
Relations Act (TRA) while reaffirming the strong commitment of the 
United States to provide for the legitimate defense needs of Taiwan 
under the TRA.
  I commend the author of the resolution, the gentleman from New York, 
Mr. Gilman, Chairman of the House International Relations Committee, 
and the Democratic Ranking Member, Mr. Gejdenson, for moving this 
important resolution to the floor. I also recognize the Chairman and 
Democratic Ranking Member of the House International Relations 
Subcommittee on Asia-Pacific Affairs, Mr. Bereuter and Mr. Lantos, as 
well as Mr. Rohrabacher, for their substantial contributions to 
formulation of the resolution. I am honored to join my colleagues on 
the House International Relations Committee as a co-sponsor in support 
of House Concurrent Resolution 56.
  Mr. Speaker, the United States has had a long, close and enduring 
relationship with Taiwan dating back to the end of World War II. With 
our support, Taiwan has risen from the region's ruins of war to become 
one of the world's strongest economies and most vibrant democracies in 
Asia.
  Clearly, Mr. Speaker, the people of Taiwan must be congratulated for 
the outstanding accomplishments of their thriving and prosperous 
democracy of 22 million people. All Americans should take pride in and 
share the achievements of our close friends.
  At the heart of the relationship between Taiwan and the United States 
is the Taiwan Relations Act, which for two decades has laid the 
foundation for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
  When the security of our friends in Taiwan was threatened by the 
People's Republic of China (PRC) in Spring of 1996, I supported the 
Clinton Administration in sending the Nimitz and Independence carrier 
groups to the Taiwan Strait to maintain peace. China's missile tests 
and threatened use of force contravened the PRC's commitments under the 
1979 and 1982 Joint Communiques to resolve Taiwan's status by peaceful 
means. The Joint Communiques, in concert with the Taiwan Relations Act, 
lay the framework for our ``One China'' policy, which fundamentally 
stresses that force shall not be used in resolution of the Taiwan 
question. It is clearly in the interests of the United States and all 
parties that the obligation continues to be honored.
  Today, reports indicate that China has between 150 to 200 M-9 and M-
11 ballistic missiles in its southern regions facing Taiwan, and has 
protested U.S. efforts assisting Taiwan's defense as a violation of 
China's sovereignty. To pre-empt any Theater Missile Defense (TMD) that 
might be deployed in the future, China is expected to increase these 
missile batteries to over 650.
  Mr. Speaker, I find this situation unfortunate and ironic, as China 
has legitimate sovereignty interests to preserve with Taiwan, yet is 
providing the very justification for U.S. defensive intervention under 
the Taiwan Relations Act. If China truly desires to stop Taiwan from 
being included in plans for a U.S. Theater Missile Defense system for 
the Asia-Pacific region, then it should take immediate steps to defuse 
the crisis by scaling back its present deployment of ballistic missiles 
facing Taiwan, resuming the Cross-Strait Dialogue between Beijing and 
Taipei, and exerting influence with North Korea to curb development and 
proliferation of long-range missile technology.
  Mr. Speaker, in citing in part to the Taiwan issue, there is growing 
sentiment in Washington bent on portraying China as the major enemy of 
and security threat to the United States. I do not support this view, 
as it is unnecessarily alarmist and runs the risk of poisoning our 
longterm relationship with the PRC while undercutting our mission to 
integrate China as a responsible member of the international community.
  Nonetheless, Mr. Speaker, I am glad that the United States has 
demonstrated in recent years that the use of force by China against 
Taiwan will not be tolerated. The legislation before us reaffirms that 
fact, and the central role that the Taiwan Relations Act has played and 
will continue to play in ensuring U.S. commitment that Taiwan's status 
will be resolved peacefully by the governments on both sides of the 
Taiwan Strait.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge our colleagues to support the resolution 
before us.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support H. 
Con. Res. 56, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. 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, House Concurrent Resolution 56.
  The question was taken.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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