[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 14 (Friday, February 6, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E127]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           SUPPORTING TAIWAN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DAVID SCOTT

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, February 6, 2004

  Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support Taiwan, a 
democracy and a dependable friend of the United States. In fact, the 
United States is Taiwan's largest trading partner, while Taiwan is the 
seventh largest United States trading partner. In the year 2000, total 
U.S.-Taiwan trade was approximately $65 billion, with a Taiwan surplus 
of approximately $16 billion. Taiwan's chief exports to the United 
States include clothing and footwear, toys, and various electronic 
products. In recent years, Taiwanese government officials have 
attempted to accommodate increased United States pressure on trade 
issues. They met many U.S. demands for greater market access for U.S. 
goods and services and responded to U.S. complaints by taking stronger 
measures to protect U.S. copyrights and other intellectual property 
rights.
  At the same time, Taiwan's political system had undergone dramatic 
changes, including a transition to democratic political pluralism. The 
combination of these developments led to subtle changes in U.S.-Taiwan 
ties, including deepening economic, military, social, and other 
contacts. Today, the United States is an important investor and trading 
partner for Taiwan, with United States markets receiving about 25 
percent of Taiwan's exports. Taiwan continues to enjoy Export-Import 
Bank financing, Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) 
guarantees, most-favored-nation status, and ready access to U.S. 
markets.
  Beijing regards Taiwan as a renegade province of China, and PRC 
officials have grown particularly upset over the statements and 
positions taken by Taiwan's democratically elected president, Chen 
Shui-bian, who increasingly has referred to Taiwan as a sovereign 
independent country. These statements and positions have contributed to 
an intense domestic debate in Taiwan over its national status. 
President Chen also has been a strident proponent of using the 
scheduled March 20, 2004 presidential elections to hold an 
unprecedented national referendum on several policy issues. Beijing 
strongly opposes a referendum in Taiwan, fearing it could be used to 
gauge support for--and possibly to declare--Taiwan independence.
  In recent years, the PRC has steadily increased its missile build-up 
along the south China coast opposite Taiwan, now deploying close to 500 
missiles. As Taiwan faces military threats from China, the people of 
Taiwan plan to express concern over their wellbeing and security in a 
proposed referendum on March 20, 2004. Therefore, as the world's 
leading democracy, we must support the people of Taiwan and their right 
to hold this referendum.

                          ____________________