[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 38 (Wednesday, April 10, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E484]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TAIWAN RELATIONS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN B. LARSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 10, 2002

  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the twenty-
third anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act (P.L. 96-8) to reaffirm 
our commitment to the security of Taiwan.
  First, I believe it is important to remember that this law was 
enacted ``to preserve and promote extensive, close, and friendly 
commercial, cultural, and other relations between the people of the 
United States and the people on Taiwan, . . . to declare that peace and 
stability in the area are in the political, security, and economic 
interests of the United States, and are matters of international 
concern; . . . to make clear that the United States decision to 
establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China 
rests upon the expectation that the future of Taiwan will be determined 
by peaceful means; . . . to provide Taiwan with arms of a defensive 
character, . . . and to maintain the capacity of the United States to 
resist any resort to force or other forms of coercion that would 
jeopardize the security, or the social or economic system, of the 
people of Taiwan.''
  Even though we do not have official diplomatic relations with Taiwan, 
we have many ``unofficial'' contacts. Taiwan and the United States 
share common interests in many areas, such as trade and investment, 
science and technology, education, culture and security. The recent 
legislative elections in Taiwan shows that it shares our commitment to 
true democratic values and serve as a model for other nations in the 
region. We also share a respect for the freedom of the press, which I 
hope continues.
  On the twenty-third anniversary of the enactment of the Taiwan 
Relations Act, I hope we will continue our cooperation with the 
democratically elected government of Taiwan by taking a number of 
steps; such as allowing Taiwan officials and our officials to meet 
freely in Washington and Taipei, improving Taiwan's access to our 
government agencies, and helping Taiwan become a member of appropriate 
international organizations such as the World Health Organization. The 
officials of Taiwan were chosen by the twenty-two million people of 
Taiwan to represent them and we should respect their choice. Taiwan is 
our seventh largest trading partner, and there are many critical 
economic, trade, health, security, and other issues which its officials 
need to discuss with our government officials as well as officials of 
international organizations.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe that the recent formation of the Congressional 
Taiwan Caucus shows our support for the Taiwan Relations Act and our 
commitment to maintaining the military balance across the Taiwan Strait 
to counter the buildup on the Mainland. Therefore, I rise today to 
commemorate the twenty-third anniversary of the Act, to restate our 
commitment to the security of Taiwan, and to show our support for 
cooperation between Taiwan and the United States. Thank you.

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