[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 40 (Friday, April 12, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S2631]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TAIWAN RELATIONS ACT

 Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, April 10 marked the 
23d anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, signed into law by 
President Jimmy Carter in 1979. The Taiwan Relations Act has enabled 
Taiwan to build successfully a democratically governed society and an 
economy by which the Taiwanese people prosper.
  However, for Taiwan to continue its economic and political 
development under the ominous threats posed by Communist China, the 
United States must remain committed to the Taiwan Relations Act. The 
United States must ensure Taiwan possesses a capable military deterrent 
until a peaceful settlement of cross-straits relations with the 
People's Republic of China is realized.
  The United States cannot allow the People's Republic of China to 
bully Taiwan, as it did during the 1995 Taiwan legislative elections 
and in the 1996 and 2000 Presidential elections. I am quite pleased to 
see the Bush administration's strong support for Taiwan. In particular, 
I was delighted to hear that the Bush administration would do 
``whatever it takes'' to defend Taiwan.
  Taiwan has proven itself a worthy friend. Its dedication to 
democratic freedoms, processes and institutions, attention to human 
rights, and adherence to rule of law, as well as its words and deeds 
after the events of September 11, 2001, have helped it gain strong 
political support in the United States. We must continue to assist such 
a worthy friend by honoring the Taiwan Relations Act in its totality 
and making sure that mainland China does not misunderstand our 
intention of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan 
Strait.

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