[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 145 (Monday, September 26, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1357]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TAIWAN NATIONAL DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 26, 2016

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, October 10 is Taiwan's national day--
also known as Double Ten Day. The United States and Taiwan have a 
strong relationship. Taiwan is a good friend and ally. I congratulate 
Taiwan on its national day.
   We also need to be standing by Taiwan and supporting its efforts to 
be a responsible member of the international community. The 
International Civil Aviation Organization or ``ICAO'' is a UN agency to 
ensure the safety of planes that fly around the world. But even though 
it is less than a week away, there has been no indication that Taiwan 
will be able to participate in ICAO's 39th Triennial Assembly on 
September 27. Three years ago, Taiwan was invited by the then-ICAO 
Council President to attend as a guest, but that invitation was no 
guarantee that Taiwan could keep attending. Congress passed a law three 
years ago encouraging ICAO to give Taiwan observer status. Giving 
Taiwan such status would contribute to the success of ICAO's mission to 
address aviation security threats through effective international 
cooperation.
   As our 9th-largest trading partner in 2015, Taiwan's participation 
in the Trans-Pacific Partnership is a no-brainer. It would boost our 
trade relationship with Taiwan and would make the overall impact of TPP 
even better for Americans. To provide greater protection for investors 
in both countries, we should also work on completing a Bilateral 
Investment Agreement with Taiwan. In all, trade is an important part of 
our relationship with Taiwan and I hope my colleagues will join me in 
advocating for these steps.
   Again, I wish the people of Taiwan a Happy Double Ten Day. And 
that's just the way it is.

                          ____________________