[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 59 (Monday, April 18, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E501]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            THE 37TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TAIWAN RELATIONS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE COFFMAN

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 18, 2016

  Mr. COFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, April 10th marked the 37th anniversary of 
the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act. This landmark legislation, 
one of Congress' great achievements, has guaranteed and continues to 
guarantee ongoing relations with our friend and partner, Taiwan.
   Taiwan's President Ma made a speech at the American Chamber of 
Commerce in Taipei (AmCham) Hsie Nian Fan celebration on March 30th, 
2016. In the speech, President Ma pointed out that in the US-based 
Global Finance magazine's ratings of the world's richest countries from 
November of last year, Taiwan ranked 19th out of 185 countries 
worldwide. That put Taiwan right behind Germany, and far ahead of 
countries like France, Great Britain, Japan, and South Korea. 
Additionally, in the 2015 global competitiveness ratings published by 
the Institute of Management Development (IMD), in Lausanne, 
Switzerland, Taiwan ranked No. 11 in the world and No. 3 in the Asia-
Pacific Region. Taiwan has created an enviable and thriving innovative 
economy. I give praise to President Ma's leadership. The United States 
and Taiwan enjoy a longstanding relationship that stems from our shared 
values: democracy, the rule of law, and free enterprise. Taiwan is a 
strong economic partner--in fact they are now our 9th-largest trading 
partner. In 2014, Colorado's exports to Taiwan reached $191.5 million. 
Taiwan is Colorado's 7th largest export market in Asia, and 14th 
largest export market in the world. Colorado companies have substantial 
opportunities to expand their business and cooperation with Taiwan. 
Equally important are the Taiwanese-Americans living in Colorado and 
the wealth of knowledge and entrepreneurial energy they bring.
   I offer my warmest and best wishes to the people of Taiwan on this 
37th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act. I also extend my 
congratulations to Dr. Tsai Ing-wen on her victory in the Taiwanese 
Presidential election. I look forward to the continued and growing 
friendship and partnership between the United States and Taiwan.

                          ____________________