[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 77 (Tuesday, May 19, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1205]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         PRESIDENT MA OF TAIWAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 19, 2009

  Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to offer my congratulations 
on the one year anniversary of President Ma of Taiwan. President Ma has 
accomplished much during his tenure to reduce the tensions in the 
Taiwan Strait.
  I want to shed light on the third Chiang-Chen talks that occurred 
last month to highlight my point.
  The third Chiang-Chen Talks, which took place in Nanjing, brought 
together top officials from both sides of the Taiwan straits to discuss 
issues that are of mutual benefit to Taiwan and China. Three important 
agreements were signed at these talks.
  The ``Agreement on Joint Cross-Strait Crime-fighting and Mutual 
Judicial Assistance'' will improve cooperation between the two sides 
with respects to criminal investigations by sharing information and 
lending other law enforcement assistance as needed.
  Secondly, the ``Cross Strait Financial Cooperation Agreement'' will 
help improve monetary exchanges and may lead to Taiwan opening 
financial institutions on the mainland.
  Lastly, a ``Supplementary Agreement on Cross-Strait Air Transport'' 
was signed to increase the number of daily flights, both passenger and 
cargo, between Taiwan and China plus increase the number of airports by 
which these flights will depart.
  In addition to these three agreements, China has agreed to encourage 
investments from the mainland into Taiwan ventures.
  All of these important agreements would not have been possible 
without President Ma's leadership and courage. Again, congratulations 
to President Ma and both countries on each side of the Taiwan Strait.

                          ____________________