[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 131 (Tuesday, October 8, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S10111]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                CONGRATULATIONS TO THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA

  Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I rise to congratulate the 
Taiwanese people in celebrating the 91st National Day of the Republic 
of China on October 10, 2002.
  Taiwan is, and has been, a loyal ally and trading partner in Asia. 
Its people participate and fully subscribe to the principles of freedom 
and democracy. The Taiwanese people have worked with the United States 
on issues ranging from endangered species, trademark infringements to 
global terrorism. They look to us for cooperation, guidance and 
protection.
  President Bush will soon be meeting with PRC President Jiang Zemin in 
the United States. I ask my colleagues to join with me in urging 
President Bush not to enter into any agreement which would restrict 
Taiwan or compromise its growing democracy. Better relations with the 
PRC must not come at the expense of the 23 million people on Taiwan, 
who must depend on America to defend their interests.
  I am, however, pleased to see that on September 26 Congress passed 
the Foreign Relations Authorization Act which contains a few Taiwan-
friendly clauses. While the act is not legally binding, this is a 
goodwill gesture towards Taiwan by the United States. It is apparent 
that Congress has reached a consensus that ``the Taiwan Strait issue 
must be peaceful and must include the assent of the people of Taiwan.'' 
I totally agree with many of my colleagues that as long as the PRC has 
not renounced the use of force against Taiwan, we must continue to help 
Taiwan defend itself by selling submarines, patrol aircraft, and 
advanced destroyers to Taiwan. In addition, the PRC must be left with 
no doubt that we will provide military support to Taiwan if it is 
attacked. In fact, the PRC's military buildup in recent years has made 
it not only a threat to Taiwan but to other neighboring Asian countries 
as well.
  Mr. President, the October 10 celebration should mark the continuance 
of the close cooperation in all areas between our two countries, as 
well as the founding of a nation. Again, I congratulate Taiwan on the 
occasion of its National Day.

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