[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 74 (Tuesday, May 22, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E881]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRATULATIONS TO PRESIDENT MA YING-JEOU ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 
                              INAUGURATION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. PETE OLSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 22, 2012

  Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I want to extend warm congratulations and 
best wishes to President Ma Ying-jeou for his inauguration on the 
occasion of the Republic of China's Centennial National Day. This 
national holiday commemorates the 1911 Wu-ch'ang uprising that ended 
centuries of monarch rule and led to the birth of the Republic of China 
(Taiwan).
  Taiwan and the United States enjoy an important relationship that 
reflects our two countries' historical, cultural, and economic ties 
over the last century. While there is no formal relationship between 
the two countries, the United States and Taiwan continue to be strong 
partners in trade, cultural and educational exchanges, as well as 
cooperation in many other areas. In the last three and a half years, 
the relationship between the United States and Taiwan has grown even 
stronger. Taiwan's cooperation with the United States in combating 
global terrorism has earned the trust of the American people and 
improved our exchanges and enhanced the friendship between our two 
nations. These relations also include discussions about Taiwan's 
military needs. A strong Taipei-Washington relationship is in the best 
interests of both and the stability of East Asia. Last year, we 
celebrated the 31st anniversary of the enactment of the Taiwan 
Relations Act, the cornerstone of the U.S.-Taiwan relations.
  Recently, there has been good news about Taiwan's rapprochement with 
mainland China. Taiwan has concluded 16 agreements with mainland China 
and each one is based on the principles of parity, dignity, and 
reciprocity and ensures that Taiwan comes first for the benefit of its 
people. I sincerely hope that Taiwan and China will continue to work 
together and cultivate a future based on respect, democracy, and 
freedom. Again, congratulations to President Ma Ying-jeou on his second 
inauguration.

                          ____________________