[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 147 (Tuesday, October 4, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1752]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TAIWAN'S 100TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 4, 2011

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, on October 10th, the Republic of China 
(Taiwan), one of the closest friends of the United States in the 
Pacific, will be celebrating its 100th Anniversary of the Chinese 
Revolution. I would like to congratulate Taiwan on this historic 
milestone, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.
  October 10th, 1911 marks the beginning of what was the Wuchang 
Uprising, which ultimately brought an end to the Qing Dynasty's 268-
year rule in China. The fall of the Dynasty's resulted in the 
establishment of the Republic of China (Taiwan), which was then 
immediately recognized by the United States as the sole and legitimate 
government of China.
  In these 100 years, Taiwan has evolved into a shining example of 
democracy. As the country liberalized and opened up to the world, its 
political system has progressed into one of the strongest democratic 
systems in Asia, evidenced most recently by holding free and fair 
presidential elections. While these significant achievements took 
place, the U.S.-Taiwan relationship transformed from one based solely 
on shared interests to one based on shared values. Our mutual respect 
for human rights and dignity, and our belief in a strong democratic 
system of government has allowed this relationship to flourish.
  I congratulate the Taiwanese on this historic 100-year occasion, and 
I look forward to helping further develop the close relationship 
between the United States and Taiwan as we move forward into the 21st 
Century.

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