[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 64 (Tuesday, May 8, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2960-S2961]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TAIWAN'S PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION

  Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, on May 20 the world will see an encouraging 
sight. On that day, President Ma Ying-jeou of the Republic of China 
will be sworn in for a second term on the island of Taiwan. I was so 
pleased to see yet another free, fair, democratic election take place 
on January 14. I want to take a moment to wish President Ma and the 
people of Taiwan success and prosperity as their young democracy 
continues to flourish and serve as an example for other countries in 
the region.
  The difference in governance can be striking when Taiwan is compared 
to some of its neighbors in the region. Taiwan's experiment with 
democracy is less than two decades old, but it has demonstrated 
spectacular progress, holding direct democratic elections in every 
Presidential election since 1996. The people of Taiwan vigorously 
exercise their right to vote--three out of every four Taiwanese 
citizens voted in the January elections--and they feel empowered to 
petition their government, voice their grievances, peacefully assemble, 
and, in general, enjoy many of the political freedoms that Americans 
hold dear.
  Taiwan is an important economic partner of the United States and is a 
robust and growing market for American exports. Just last month, as 
chair of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on International Trade, I held 
a hearing on agricultural export opportunities to Asia. As Asia 
continues to experience impressive economic growth, it is important to 
remember that Taiwan is the sixth largest destination for American 
agricultural exports. More can be done to improve bilateral trade 
between our two countries though, and I hope President Ma and his 
colleagues in the Legislative Yuan will move quickly to resolve the 
outstanding issues surrounding American beef imports.
  President Ma made good progress in his first 4 years in improving 
cross-strait relations and has worked hard to promote peace and 
prosperity in the region. I commend both sides' work in developing and 
signing the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement between the 
People's Republic of China and the Republic of China. I am confident 
that President Ma will continue to work to ensure cross-strait 
stability and cultivate an environment free from intimidation.

[[Page S2961]]

  The people of Taiwan have much to be proud of as they celebrate the 
inauguration of President Ma. The relationship between the people of 
the United States and the people of Taiwan is based on shared values 
and common interests. I look forward to seeing Taiwan grow and prosper, 
and want the Taiwanese people to know that they have an unshakeable 
ally in the United States as they continue forward as a young 
democracy.

                          ____________________