[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 30, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E483]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CELEBRATING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TAIWAN RELATIONS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETER T. KING

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 30, 2004

  Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in celebration of the 
25th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act.
  On April 10, 2004, the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), which has provided 
the framework for a strong and mutually beneficial relationship between 
the United States and the Republic of Taiwan (ROC), will commemorate 25 
years since its enactment by Congress. The TRA has helped provide peace 
and stability in the Taiwan Strait making possible the extraordinary 
economic expansion and democratization that has taken place there.
  In 1979, during the process of normalizing relations with Beijing, 
there was great apprehension in the Congress that American security and 
economic interests in Taiwan would not be protected. What evolved is 
the only law which oversees almost every facet of U.S. relations with a 
foreign entity in the absence of diplomatic relations.
  The new law provided for the security of Taiwan, formed a legal 
framework to protect the close relationship between the United States 
and Taiwan, and established Congressional oversight of that 
relationship including requirements that the President inform and 
consult with Congress when confronted by anticipated danger to Taiwan.
  Today the TRA has withstood the test of time. Taiwan has built one of 
the world's top economies with nearly $52 billion in trade with the 
United States, making it our eighth largest trading partner.
  The Taiwanese constitution guarantees its 23 million citizens freedom 
of assembly, expression and association, freedom of religion, and 
freedom of the press. In addition, Taiwan has established strong 
support for human rights, committing itself to the major international 
human rights conventions.
  Taiwan has become an openly democratic society with free and fair 
elections held at all levels of government. Over 80 percent of voters 
participated in Taiwan's recent elections, demonstrating the vitality 
of Taiwan's democracy. President Chen Shui-bian who has already been 
certified as the winner by the central election commission has agreed 
to a recount and hopefully one will take place in the very near future.
  But whatever the final result, the fact remains that Taiwan has 
provided a moving example of democracy in action and one can only hope 
that it will serve as an inspiration for the more than one billion 
Chinese living in the People's Republic of China who will one day have 
an opportunity to elect their own government in a comparably democratic 
fashion.
  It also should serve as a powerful and poignant reminder of the 
extent to which Taiwan and the United States share a common commitment 
to the principle that governments should be elected by the people they 
serve as well as underscore the vitality of the TRA and the need for 
continued American support for this vibrant democracy.

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