[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 78 (Wednesday, May 20, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1217-E1218]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         PRESIDENT MA OF TAIWAN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 20, 2009

  Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Speaker, President Ma of Taiwan will celebrate the 
one-year anniversary of his taking office on May 20th, 2009. In just 
one year, the Harvard-educated President has accomplished so much to 
improve Taiwan's standing on the world stage.
  The latest of these accomplishments is Taiwan's acceptance as an 
official observer at the World Health Assembly that will take place 
later this month in Geneva. The World Health Assembly, which is part of 
the World Health Organization, will finally give Taiwan's 23 million 
citizens a voice at this forum. This is possible because of President 
Ma's blossoming relationship with mainland China.
  In April, officials from China and Taiwan participated in the Chiang-
Chen Talks. The talks resulted in the signing of the following 
agreements: (1) ``Agreement on Joint Cross-Strait Crime-fighting and 
Mutual Judicial Assistance'' (2) the ``Cross-Strait Financial 
Cooperation Agreement'' and (3) the ``Supplementary Agreement on Cross-
Strait Air Transport.'' All of these agreements will result in improved 
coordination between the Taiwan

[[Page E1218]]

Straits neighbors in the areas of law enforcement, financial exchanges 
and travel.
  Among other successes, President Ma's administration was able to have 
Taiwan removed from the Special 301 Watch List which is maintained by 
the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). The removal shows Taiwan's 
commitment to preventing the importing and exporting of illegally 
pirated materials such as DVD's and CD's.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to call these accomplishments and the 
successful first year of President Ma's administration to my colleagues 
and other readers of the Record.

                          ____________________