[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 26 (Thursday, March 9, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E265]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     UPHOLDING DEMOCRACY IN TAIWAN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MAURICE D. HINCHEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 9, 2000

  Mr. HINCHEY. Mr. Speaker, in the spring of 1996, the People's 
Republic of China (PRC) conducted two guided missile tests north of 
Taiwan, in an effort to intimidate the voting populous. Fortunately, 
the people in Taiwan recognized this act of intimidation by the PRC and 
overwhelmingly elected Lee Teng-hui as their first freely elected 
president in China's 5,000-year history.
  This year, on the eve of Taiwan's second presidential election, the 
People's Republic of China has once again renewed its militaristic 
intimidation tactics against Taiwan. On at least two occasions, Beijing 
leaders had made it abundantly clear that it could invade Taiwan if 
Taiwan refused to engage in reunification talks. There is widespread 
concern throughout Taiwan, South Asia, and here in the United States 
that the PRC will continue its efforts to intimidate Taiwan. These 
attempts to destabilize Taiwan's healthy policy and economy would 
eventually lead to the surrender of Taiwan to mainland China.
  I trust the voters in Taiwan will once again choose one of the three 
leading candidates as their president on March 18. It is vitally 
important that Taiwan's security not be compromised in any way. In the 
meantime, the goal of both governments should be increased dialog and a 
cooling of inflammatory rhetoric. Fear and instability will not serve 
the people of either Taiwan or the PRC, and it certainly will not serve 
the interest of the United States.

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