[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 41 (Thursday, March 13, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E460]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        A PEACEFUL DIALOGUE BETWEEN CHINA AND TAIWAN MUST RESUME

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. W. TODD AKIN

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 13, 2003

  Mr. AKIN. Mr. Speaker, at present there are more than 400 Chinese 
missiles targeted on Taiwan. It is estimated that roughly 50 more are 
being added each year. Moreover, China has devised strategies to 
destroy Taiwan's political, financial, military, communications and 
production centers within days. What is even more menacing is that 
China has reiterated that it will use force against Taiwan if Taiwan 
refuses to accept China's ``one country, two systems'' unification 
formula.
  China's intimidation of Taiwan is unworthy of its status as a major 
world power. China must not ignore Taiwan President Chen Shui-bians' 
repeated pleas for resumption of cross-strait dialogue. If war breaks 
out in the Taiwan Strait, China, Taiwan and the rest of the countries 
in the Asian-Pacific will all suffer irreparable economic and political 
damage.
  Our friends and allies in Europe regard peace and stability in the 
Taiwan Strait as critical to everyone's interests in Asia. On September 
5, 2002, the European Parliament passed a resolution calling on China 
to remove its missiles along Taiwan's coast. Last October, the Czech 
Parliament also passed a similar resolution calling on China to remove 
its missiles from the Taiwan Strait.
  The United States believes that a military clash in the Taiwan Strait 
must be avoided. A peaceful dialogue between China and Taiwan must 
resume now. It is my hope that Beijing will begin dismantling the 
missiles currently targeting Taiwan and pursue a peaceful resolution of 
current tensions with Taiwan. I support efforts of the U.S. State 
Department to this important end.
  In the meantime, while we advocate the peaceful resolution of the 
Taiwan issue, we must continue to sell arms to Taiwan to help Taiwan 
protect itself, under the framework of the Taiwan Relations Act. Our 
commitment to defend Taiwan is, and must remain, strong and 
unequivocal.

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