[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 135 (Wednesday, October 10, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1838]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     LET PRESIDENT CHEN ATTEND APEC

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 10, 2001

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, this year's Asia Pacific Economic 
Cooperation (APEC) forum is scheduled to take place later this month in 
Shanghai, China, and will be attended by President George W. Bush and 
PRC President Jiang Zeillin. The APEC forum will also be attended by 
the leaders of the nineteen other members of APEC, and will provide a 
vital opportunity to discuss the international economic situation and 
formulate a plan to address the deteriorating world economy and the 
economic threats we are all now facing. Given the monumental challenge 
that this entails, it is inconceivable that Taiwan, the leader of the 
seventh largest trading economy and ninth largest GDP in the APEC group 
would be excluded from such a gathering, and that indeed full 
cooperation by all leading economic players in the region would not be 
encouraged. Yet, Mr. Speaker, this is precisely the situation that is 
now upon us as the government of the People's Republic of China is once 
again exercising narrow political calculations to the detriment of the 
people of Taiwan, and in fact the rest of the world, by excluding 
President Chen Shui-bian from this meeting.
  It is important to recognize that the APEC forum is an ECONOMIC 
forum, and that especially during this time of crisis, we cannot afford 
to allow political differences to threaten the formulation and 
implementation of a sound economic strategy in response to these 
threats. Mr. Speaker, Taiwan is a vital trading partner of the United 
States, it imports significantly more goods from the United States than 
does the People's Republic of China, and its leadership is committed to 
the same principles of democracy and freedom that we hold so dear. The 
exclusion of President Chen from this meeting is a cold reminder that 
not all governments who express their solidarity with us in facing 
these many threats are actually committed to realizing the intrinsic 
hopes of economic freedom and political expression of their people. In 
fact, Mr. Speaker, such actions should give us great pause when we 
realize the destruction and mayhem that can result from a policy which 
abandons our commitment to freedom-loving people, only to secure better 
relations with an illegitimate regime for short-term economic gain. The 
United States has a duty and an obligation to stand up for our friends 
and allies on Taiwan, and to insist that their leader be able to 
participate and contribute in addressing the global threats we must now 
face.
  The events of September 11th prove that the world of ambiguities and 
diplomatic niceties no longer exists, and the sooner this realization 
translates into true representation for all, the sooner we can begin to 
construct the foundation of an international order based on the rule of 
law and economic freedom. The very first step in this process, however, 
must be taken, and the inclusion of President Chen from Taiwan in the 
APEC meeting would go a long way in demonstrating our commitment to 
building such an order.

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