[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 64 (Monday, May 16, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E982]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN HONOR OF PRESIDENT CHEN'S ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETE SESSIONS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 16, 2005

  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I wish to extend my congratulations to the 
people of Taiwan on the occasion of their president's first anniversary 
in office this May 20th. Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian was re-elected 
to a second four year term in 2004.
  During the last five years, President Chen has been deft in 
navigating the dangerous shoals between the demands of his people 
seeking independence and Chinese threats to attack Taiwan. In recent 
weeks and months, China passed the anti-secession law, codifying the 
use of force if Taiwan moves toward independence and lavishly 
entertained two Taiwan opposition parties leaders.
  At the moment, there is a ``China fever'' sweeping Taiwan. Many 
Taiwanese are lured by China's promise of trade benefits and are 
willing to make political concessions to China. However, President Chen 
has been steadfast in demanding that the best welfare for the people of 
Taiwan must be safeguarded in any negotiations with China.
  I believe it is time for us to speak up for President Chen and the 
Taiwanese people. We treasure our affiliations and relations with 
Taiwan as we admire Taiwan's political and economic achievements of the 
last two decades. It is often too easy to forget that all these 
accomplishments came through decades of hard work. Taiwan today is a 
beacon of democracy and an island of prosperity to many developing 
countries, including China.
  The Taiwanese people, as we know, do treasure their democratic way of 
life and their independence. And the person who has their best 
interests at heart is President Chen Shui-bian. I rise today to support 
President Chen's handling of Taiwan's relations with China. President 
Chen is right in pointing out the differences between democratic Taiwan 
and autocratic China and the importance of conducting direct talks by 
elected leaders in Taiwan and China.
  In the meantime, I urge Chinese leaders to withdraw their missiles 
deployed on the other side of the Taiwan Strait and accept President 
Chen's suggestion of setting up a stable mechanism for cross-strait 
interaction, leading to permanent peace and development in the Taiwan 
Strait.
  Again my best wishes to the Taiwanese people on their president's 
first anniversary.

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