[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 74 (Tuesday, May 22, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S3420]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TAIWAN'S PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION

  Mr. WICKER. Mr. President, I congratulate President Ma Ying-jeou on 
his inauguration as President of Taiwan. From his education at Harvard 
University, to becoming the youngest cabinet minister in the history of 
Taiwan, to his election to the Presidency of Taiwan in 2008, President 
Ma has faced difficult challenges. As Justice Minister he took on the 
task of rooting out political corruption. As President he has faced the 
daunting charge of navigating Taiwan through the economic downturn, and 
after just a few years Taiwan has seen successful economic growth. In 
addition, President Ma has made notable progress in improving cross-
strait relations. During his first term, he successfully negotiated 16 
trade agreements with the People's Republic of China, increasing 
economic cooperation between these two countries.
  For all of his hard work and success, I congratulate President Ma and 
wish him well on his second term in office. I hope the U.S. and Taiwan 
can continue to advance our shared interests and goals and to 
strengthen our valued relationship.

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