[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 21, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E593]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       PEACE IN THE TAIWAN STRAIT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. G.K. BUTTERFIELD

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 20, 2007

  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Speaker, 2 years ago, China enacted an anti-
secession law which ``gave'' China the right to overtake Taiwan by 
force. Since then both Taiwan and the United States have asked China to 
rescind the law. So far China has ignored all pleas. Instead, it has 
increased its number of guided missiles deployed along the coast of 
Taiwan, threatening war anytime. In addition, China has prevented 
Taiwan from participating in international organizations such as the 
World Health Organization and heightened its bellicose rhetoric against 
the democratically-elected Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian.
  As a rising world power, China must assume the responsibility of a 
global leader. It must lessen the tensions in the Taiwan Strait by 
rescinding the bad anti-secession law which has deeply hurt the 
feelings of the Taiwanese people. China should also reduce its military 
presence along the coast of Taiwan and learn to respect the wishes of 
the Taiwanese people.
  I urge my colleagues to give Taiwan our support. Taiwan is a 
democracy and an ally of the United States. Under the framework of the 
Taiwan Relations Act, we must make sure that peace and stability 
continue to prevail in the Taiwan Strait.

                          ____________________