[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 128 (Wednesday, September 22, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1705]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN CELEBRATION OF TAIWAN'S NATIONAL DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DAN BURTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 22, 2010

  Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise as a senior member of 
the House Foreign Affairs Committee and member of the House Taiwan 
caucus to express my congratulations to the leaders and people of the 
Republic of China on Taiwan on the occasion of National Day this 
October 10th.
  It has been nearly a century since the October 10, 1911 start of the 
revolution that toppled the Qing dynasty and established the Republic 
of China, the first republic in Asia. Today the ROC on Taiwan has 
become a full-fledged democracy and a beacon of prosperity and freedom 
for all of Asia. Just twenty some years ago, Taiwan was a closed 
authoritarian society with no freedom of speech, no freedom of 
assembly, and no right to vote. It now has robust political parties, 
and virtually every office in Taiwan is contested through free and fair 
elections.
  Two and a half years ago, Taiwan successfully concluded its fourth 
popular election for president since 1996 by electing Dr. Ma Ying-jeou. 
President Ma has worked tirelessly since his inauguration on May 20, 
2008 to improve the relationship between Taiwan and the Chinese 
mainland and he has been a strong ally to the United States.
  The Taiwanese and the Chinese mainland governments have worked 
together in productive talks on issues such as direct cross-strait 
flights and shipping, more tourist visits by mainlanders to Taiwan, and 
the recent signing for Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) 
that serves as a platform for economic interaction between the two 
sides. This cooperation has served to reduce tensions in the Strait 
considerably.
  Taiwan has long been a strategic partner of the United States. We 
have worked closely with the government of President Ma and our mutual 
relationship continues to be strong. It is my hope that the relations 
will continue to grow through enhanced cooperation in trade, science 
and technology, educational and cultural exchanges, security 
cooperation and Taiwan's participation in international organizations.
  As Taiwan has demonstrated cooperation in good faith both with the 
mainland and with the United States, I hope that it will soon enjoy 
greater inclusion in the international community. It is exciting to 
learn that Taiwan was once again invited last May to attend the World 
Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, Switzerland as an observer. This was a 
breakthrough for Taiwan's participation in a formal UN activity since 
in 1971, the world body switched recognition to mainland China.
  However, this is not enough. I strongly urge my colleagues to 
recognize Taiwan's participation in the WHA and encourage them to put 
pressure on the international community to allow Taiwan's participation 
in the activities of other organizations such as the International 
Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the United Nations Framework 
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
  Madam Speaker, I would ask all of my colleagues to congratulate our 
Taiwanese friends on the 99th Anniversary of National Day and to join 
me now in thanking the people of Taiwan for their friendship.

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