[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 14 (Wednesday, February 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E90-E91]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 PROMOTING PEACE AND STABILITY THROUGH THE REPEAL OF THE ANTISECESSION 
                                  LAW

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETE SESSIONS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 8, 2006

  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, last spring, China passed the anti-
secession law to give Chinese leaders the right to use force against 
Taiwan if they suspect separatist activities in Taiwan. In addition to 
the enactment of the anti-secession law, China's rapid military build-
up has given the Taiwanese people a sense of fear. China's deployment 
of more than 700 missiles along the southeast coast indicates that 
China still stubbornly clings to a military solution of the Taiwan 
issue. In response to China's provocative actions, we need to emphasize 
that military intimidation over Taiwan is not a solution to the cross 
strait relations.
  China must respect the aspirations of Taiwan's 23 million people who 
want the freedom to determine their own future. China has no 
justification to change the status quo either through the anti-
secession law or military intimidation. Last spring, the House of 
Representatives went on record in expressing our grave concern over 
China's anti-secession law by passing H. Con. Res. 98 authored by 
Chairman Hyde in a vote of 424-4. I was proud to vote for this 
legislation, and I commend my fellow colleagues for the overwhelming 
decisive nature of the vote in demonstrating the House's sincere 
interest in preserving peace in the Taiwan Straits through the ending 
of the anti-secession law.
  In other important issues, China must not block Taiwan's attempts to 
gain international recognition or return to international organizations 
such as the United Nations and the World Health Organization. Taiwan is 
a free and democratic nation and deserves to be treated properly and 
with respect by the international community. Taiwan's exclusion from 
the United Nations has deprived the identity of 23 million people.
  President Chen is a man of peace and he has reaffirmed his commitment 
to maintain the status quo on many occasions. In the last six years, he 
has kept his pledges and offered many goodwill gestures to China. His 
goal of reducing tension between Taiwan and China remains unchanged. 
Let us hope that China will reciprocate Chen's olive branch by 
renouncing the use of force against Taiwan and resuming dialogue on an 
equal footing and without pre-conditions.

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