[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 68 (Thursday, May 17, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E820]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    ROC PRESIDENT CHEN SHUI-BIAN MAKES A BRIEF STOPOVER IN NEW YORK

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MAURICE D. HINCHEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 16, 2001

  Mr. HINCHEY. Mr. Speaker, Republic of China President Chen Shui-bian 
will be making a goodwill tour of Latin American later this month and 
will be stopping briefly in New York. We welcome this distinguished 
visitor to New York and hope that he will come back to the United 
States more often.
  Moreover, May 20th marks President Chen Shui-bian's first anniversary 
in office. Voters in Taiwan have given President Chen high approval 
ratings during his presidency. He has maintained a slow but steady 
economic growth, minimizing the impact of a worldwide economic slowdown 
on Taiwan's economy. Abroad, President Chen has been strengthening 
relations with allies and friends and continues to pursue a fruitful 
dialogue with leaders in the People's Republic of China. Due in part to 
President Chen's diplomatic efforts, peace continues to reign in the 
Taiwan Strait.
  President Chen has also fortified Taiwan's relations with the U.S. 
Taiwan is the eighth largest trading partner of the United States. 
Taiwanese tourists and students all prefer the United States and spend 
their dollars here. Bilateral relations between Taiwan and the U.S. are 
excellent. Both countries share the same fundamental values of freedom, 
democracy, human rights, peace and prosperity.
  I am pleased to express my congratulations to President Chen on his 
first anniversary in office and to wish him a pleasant and productive 
visit to my home state of New York.

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