[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 134 (Friday, October 11, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1821]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING OCTOBER 10, 2002 AS THE 91ST NATIONAL DAY OF THE REPUBLIC 
                                OF CHINA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM H. PUTNAM

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 10, 2002

  Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, On the occasion of Republic of China's 91st 
National Day, I wish to express my best wishes and congratulations to 
the leaders and people of Taiwan. While I regret that our government 
does not have formal relations with Taiwan, we do enjoy a flourishing 
relationship with Taiwan. I have met with President Chen Shui-bian, and 
others members of the Government of the Republic of China on Taiwan, 
and congratulate them on their commitment to maintaining Taiwan as a 
vibrant democracy and a free market economy.
  Indeed, through the free market system Taiwan's economy has grown 
spectacularly. In terms of Taiwan's trade with us, Taiwan is our eighth 
largest trading partner and seventh-largest export market. Our exports 
to Taiwan in 2001 totaled US$18.2 billion and Taiwan exported $27.7 
billion of 'goods to us. Taiwan's importance as a world economy can be 
witnessed in Taiwan's accession into the World Trade Organization (WTO) 
earlier this year, the culmination of twelve years of collaborative 
efforts with the government of the United States. Due to its strong 
free market economy Taiwan is a likely candidate for future free trade 
negotiations with the United States. The signing of such an agreement 
could promote even stronger bilateral economic relations.
  It is now universally acknowledged that Taiwan is a vibrant democracy 
and Taiwan should be accorded a proper place in the family of nations. 
It has been unproductive to keep Taiwan out of the United Nations, the 
World Health Organization and other major international organizations. 
Over the past decade, Taiwan has become a successful model of rapid 
political reform. Taiwan is today home to more than 90 political 
parties and virtually every political office is hotly contested through 
free and fair elections. And just two years ago, Mr. Chen Shui-bian, a 
former political dissident, was elected the tenth president of the 
Republic of China. Democracy is doing very well in Taiwan.
  It is my pleasure to extend my congratulations to the people of 
Taiwan as they celebrate their National Day this October 1Oth. It is my 
hope that our relations with Taiwan will continue to be maintained in 
friendship, based on the mutual commitment of our peoples to free 
enterprise, democratic values and respect for individual liberty.

                          ____________________