[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 25, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1582-S1583]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 TAIWAN

  Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, over recent months, aggressive rhetoric 
has escalated across the Taiwan Strait. In response to Taiwanese 
President Chen Shui-bian's pledge to hold a nationwide referendum ``to 
demand that the Taiwan Strait issue be resolved through peaceful 
means,'' Chinese officials have threatened the use of force. Prime 
Minister Wen Jiabao of the People's Republic of China has stated that 
China will ``crush'' any attempts by Taiwan to seek independence and 
that it will ``pay any price to safeguard the unity of the 
motherland.'' In addition on November 20, 2003, PRC Major General Wang 
Zaixi was quoted saying that ``the use of force may become 
unavoidable'' in dealing with Taiwan. On February 11, 2004, Chinese 
officials stated the referendum would ``provoke confrontation.''
  Threats of violence by the People's Republic of China only undermine 
efforts to resolve longstanding China-Taiwan tensions. Intimidation and 
warnings of bloodshed have taken the place of constructive dialogue. I 
fear that these threats will only intensify as Taiwan's presidential 
elections on March 20, 2004, draw nearer.
  In the midst of this bellicose rhetoric, I express my support for the 
people of Taiwan and to compliment the Taiwanese people and their 
leadership for the great strides they have made in strengthening their 
democracy. Since 2000, with the first peaceful transfer of power from 
one political party to another in Taiwan's history, Taiwan's democracy 
has thrived. The U.S. State Department's annual Human Rights Reports 
for 2002 reported that the government of Taiwan largely respected the 
independence of both the judiciary and press in practice and stated, 
``Taiwan's strides were also notable, with consolidation and 
improvement of civil liberties catching up to its free and open 
electoral system.'' Transparency International has ranked Taiwan's

[[Page S1583]]

economy as one of the five least corrupt in Asia; and Freedom House 
labeled Taiwan ``free'' in 2003 with an improvement in political rights 
since 2002. President Chen Shui-bian has also demonstrated a commitment 
to human rights and is credited with solidifying a place for human 
rights within Taiwanese society during his presidency. The Human Rights 
Advisory Committee, established by Chen in 2000, is currently in the 
process of creating a National Human Rights Commission that will serve 
as the highest institution in Taiwan for the protection and promotion 
of human rights.
  I remain committed to protecting the civil and political rights of 
the people of Taiwan, and I support Taiwan's inclusion in international 
organizations, such as in the World Health Organization, WHO. The 
recent SARS and avian flu outbreaks highlight the importance of giving 
the people of Taiwan a voice in these organizations. I agree with 
claims by Taiwanese authorities that it is inhumane for the 
international community to deny the people of Taiwan access to WHO's 
medical data and assistance. Unfortunately, despite congressional 
efforts, Taiwan has still not been granted observer status. This should 
change in the coming year.
  I fear that provocative statements will have dangerous repercussions 
in this region of the world. Rather than warn and provoke, I hope that 
the governments of China and Taiwan will engage in a more constructive 
dialogue and encourage increased cross-strait people to people 
linkages. I support a peaceful resolution to the Taiwan-China 
situation, and I will continue to support policies that keep cross-
strait tensions in check.

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