[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 91 (Tuesday, July 9, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1213]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CONGRATULATIONS TO TAIWAN PRESIDENT CHEN SHUI-BIAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. EARL F. HILLIARD

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 9, 2002

  Mr. HILLIARD. Mr. Speaker, Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian has 
successfully completed his first two years in office. His performance 
as leader of his country has received widespread praise around the 
world. In terms of Taiwan's relations with the People's Republic of 
China, President Chen has, on many occasions sought to assuage 
Beijing's anxieties about Taiwan's declaration of independence. In his 
inaugural address two years ago, President Chen promised that he would 
not seek independence as long as the PRC would refrain from using force 
against Taiwan. Furthermore, President Chen has taken concrete steps to 
reduce tension in the Taiwan Straits. Travel between Taiwan and the 
Chinese mainland has been made much easier, officials from Taiwan and 
the Chinese mainland having been visiting one another across the 
Straits. We hope that Taiwan and the PRC will soon resume their 
dialogue on reunification and other commercial issues affecting them. 
Peace in the Straits is in everyone's interest.
  President Chen was also instrumental in making Taiwan's admission to 
the World Trade Organization a reality. We hope that President Chen 
will continue his efforts in making Taiwan a more visible global 
player; we understand Taiwan has been trying to gain observer status in 
the World Health Organization and other international bodies, including 
the United Nations. We applaud President Chen's leadership and wish him 
every success.
  Relations between Taiwan and the United States have been steadily 
improving. Taiwan has been buying all types of American agricultural 
and consumer products and the United States has agreed to sell more 
advanced weaponry to Taiwan, including Kidd-class destroyers, twelve 
Orion antisubmarine surveillance aircraft and eight diesel-powered 
submarines.
  Domestically, President Chen has been trying to reinvigorate Taiwan's 
economy, to eliminate corruption and gangster influence in politics and 
the economy, and to gain his people's trust and support in making 
Taiwan a complete democracy.
  At the midway point of Mr. Chen's presidential term, we salute him 
for his many accomplishments such as maintaining stability in the 
Taiwan Strait, improving Taiwan's visibility in the international arena 
and its relations with the United States, and reinvigorating Taiwan's 
economy. Congratulations, President Chen, you have done a good job.

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