[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 147 (Tuesday, October 4, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1765]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING TAIWAN AS IT CELEBRATES ITS CENTENNIAL NATIONAL DAY

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                          HON. PETER J. ROSKAM

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 4, 2011

  Mr. ROSKAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor President Ma Ying-jeou 
and the people of Taiwan as they celebrate their centennial National 
Day on October 10, 2011.
  Nearly 65,000 Taiwanese-Americans live in the Chicagoland area, and I 
am always impressed by their engagement in the political process and 
pride in their culture and history.
  Taiwan is an important friend and ally of the United States. The 
United States and Taiwan enjoy a robust trade relationship that totals 
$59 billion in goods and services, making Taiwan the ninth-largest U.S. 
trade partner. Taiwan also stands as a strong democracy in the Asian-
Pacific region.
  It is important to mention the strides Taiwan has made in improving 
its relationship with mainland China too. The most significant 
development in recent times was the signing of the Economic Cooperation 
Framework Agreement on June 29, 2010. The agreement reduced tariffs and 
trade barriers between the two sides, improving not just bilateral 
trade, but the cross-strait relationship. Regular dialogue between 
Taiwan and mainland China has also helped reduce military tensions.
  Please join me in congratulating President Ma and the people of 
Taiwan as they celebrate their centennial National Day, and in wishing 
them many more years of friendship, prosperity, and peace.

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