[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 94 (Tuesday, June 24, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1340-E1341]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 LEADERS OF TAIWAN'S LEGISLATIVE BRANCH BRIEF CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS IN 
                                CAPITOL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. STEVE CHABOT

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 24, 2003

  Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, earlier today Members were honored to be 
joined by a bipartisan delegation of colleagues from the legislative 
branch of Taiwan, one of the world's most vibrant democracies. In an 
event hosted by the Congressional Taiwan Caucus here in the Capitol, 
President Wang and leaders from the Defense and Foreign Affairs 
committees of the Legislative Yuan briefed Members on important 
security, economic and health issues of mutual concern. I greatly 
welcome such direct exchanges and look forward to more such 
opportunities in the future.
  I commend to my colleagues' attention the impressively candid 
observations of the leadership of Taiwan's delegation:

 Prepared Remarks, Honorable Wang Jin-Pyng, President Legislative Yuan

       Members of the Congressional Leadership, Mr. Chairman, 
     Members of the Taiwan Caucus of the United States Congress, 
     it is a distinct privilege and honor to be here in this 
     cradle of democracy with you today.
       On behalf of the members of my traveling party of fellow 
     Parliamentarians from your brother democracy in Taipei, 
     permit me to thank you for your time, your interest, and your 
     enduring friendship.
       This building, targeted by terrorists, is revered by all 
     citizens of Taiwan. It stands as a beacon for our national 
     cause, for those who believe in the right of all people on 
     this planet to choose their own form of government.
       On behalf of the freely elected President of Taiwan, I 
     bring you greetings.
       President Chen Shui Bian has asked me to express to you his 
     personal appreciation for the strong support shown by this 
     Caucus--by this entire Congress--for building a strong 
     Taiwan. He particularly asked me to thank you for supporting 
     our efforts to maintain a robust defense. By approving sales 
     of appropriate arms to Taiwan, you aid our ability to deter 
     attack and to provide security for peoples throughout our 
     region. By increasing confidence in our self-defense 
     capabilities, you have helped provide stability in Asia.
       Taiwan is moving forward deliberately to secure the 
     resources for our prudent defense procurement program. We 
     deeply appreciate your continued support and that of the Bush 
     Administration.
       As President of the Legislative Yuan, the `congress' in 
     Taiwan, I am honored to represent some twenty three million 
     citizens. On their behalf, I thank you for the support of 
     this Congress--support that has time and again proven 
     essential if we are to continue to live in an open, free and 
     democratic society. Please continue this support--which has 
     brought political liberty, economic freedom

[[Page E1341]]

     and a vigorous (I can assure you!), a vigorous and energetic 
     free press for Taiwan!
       In our Legislative Yuan we have four major parties and one 
     independent group. You will be `shocked' to know we sometimes 
     quarrel, we shout, we argue, we debate into the night. But on 
     matters concerning the mutual interests of the free people of 
     Taiwan and the United States, we--like you--stand firmly 
     united.
       I pledge that we will continue to do all in our power to 
     strengthen US-Taiwan ties and to advance mutual economic, 
     diplomatic and security interests.
       On two issues in particular I want to ask your help. Both 
     concern our cousins across the Taiwan Strait, the People's 
     Republic of China.
       The people of Taiwan earnestly hope for a dialogue with the 
     authorities in Beijing. We want to discuss matters of health. 
     We want to discuss trade, security, transportation, improving 
     people-to-people exchanges.
       We have many issues of common interest to explore with the 
     PRC. There is much we can learn from each other. There is 
     much we can accomplish together. The peoples of the entire 
     region desire peace and security, but there must be a mutual 
     willingness for dialogue. So we ask our friends in the 
     United States to use your important relationship with the 
     authorities in Beijing. Encourage them to engage us in a 
     dialogue unburdened by preconditions. It can only advance 
     the interests of all concerned.
       The second issue where we ask your help is in the area of 
     health and Taiwan's international human rights.
       Taiwan has weathered a terrible scourge in recent months as 
     SARS swept the region. Lives have been lost. Livelihoods have 
     been threatened. Commerce has been disrupted. People 
     throughout the world have suffered from the PRC's cover-up of 
     the SARS epidemic. At the same time the leaders in Beijing 
     prevented Taiwan from receiving support from WHO, and other 
     countries, by insisting that all assistance had to be 
     approved and channeled through the PRC. Although the PRC 
     could not handle its own problems with SARS it had the 
     audacity to claim it was helping Taiwan, which did not 
     receive anything.
       Throughout this time, Taiwan has been seeking to 
     participate in the programs of the World Health Organization. 
     Not as a member state--we recognize that nomenclature would 
     offend some in Beijing--but simply as an observer. Yet the 
     stubborn rejection of our effort by the PRC--their 
     international arm-twisting, bullying and threatening trade 
     partners--has been shameful, a clear violation of Taiwan's 
     international human rights. It is a crystal clear example for 
     all to see of how a dictatorship places power politics above 
     the interests of people--people on both sides of the Taiwan 
     Strait who have suffered. Advice and support from the WHO did 
     not arrive in time because of the PRC's interference. Health 
     should not be a political issue used for gain and punishment. 
     It is a life and death people issue and those who are chosen 
     to govern must look to the people's interests first.
       The fact is the SARS crisis will pass. But other health and 
     economic challenges of an interdependent world will surely 
     confront us. Taiwan can make its own contributions to the 
     world's fight against disease, but it cannot be treated as a 
     pariah. The time for the people of Taiwan to secure the 
     benefits of international organizations, especially one as 
     important as the WHO, has surely come. Taiwan's international 
     human rights demand that its people should not be prevented 
     from participating in international organizations and 
     programs that will further their health and welfare and that 
     of the world at large.
       Under the landmark Taiwan Relations Act, the U.S. has 
     pledged to work to benefit the welfare and human rights of 
     the free people of Taiwan. I call upon you and your 
     colleagues to hold hearings--consistent with this legislative 
     requirement-on how the U.S. can advance Taiwan's health, 
     human rights and security by pressing for Taiwan's inclusion 
     in appropriate international organizations. We hope the 
     American belief in fair play will encourage you to reach out 
     to other friends and allies and urge their support for 
     Taiwan's place in the community of international 
     organizations.
       Dear Friends, let me close with a personal note.
       I have been honored by my colleagues and placed in a 
     position of leadership in our national legislature. I have 
     been honored by my president and asked to convey a message to 
     our most important allies. Today, I have even been honored to 
     work in that arsenal of democracy where the fighting forces 
     of freedom are captained, the Pentagon.
       But it is a signal honor of my career to be with you here 
     today in the United States Capitol, truly the people's house, 
     where the beacon of liberty shines forth for all around the 
     globe to see.
       Thank you so very much. May God bless you, and God bless 
     the American people.

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