[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 46 (Friday, March 21, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S4273]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  CHINA AIRLINES PURCHASE FROM BOEING

  Ms. CANTRELL. Mr. President, I come to the floor today to commemorate 
the purchase of 10 Boeing 747-400's acquired by China Airlines.
  The relationship between Boeing and Taiwan's China Airlines has been 
extensive. Over the last 7 years, China Airlines has purchased a total 
of 97 American-made aircraft from Boeing. The acquisition of these 10 
planes, which value $2 billion, brings the total amount of the 
airline's Boeing-purchased aircraft to $13 billion.
  Sales between Boeing and China Airlines have contributed to increased 
trade between the United States and Taiwan over the last decade. In 
these past years, bilateral trade has grown each year by an average of 
4.1 percent. Because of this thriving market, the United States has 
become Taiwan's largest export market. In 2000, the United States 
accounted for 20 percent of Taiwan's trade worldwide.
  In addition, the aircraft have allowed increased domestic flights 
between Taiwan and the United States. Every week there are over 270 
flights--179 passenger and 89 cargo--between our two countries.
  I am very pleased to see that Taiwan has become one of our more 
beneficial trading partners in the world today, and I hope that this 
market continues to thrive for years to come.

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