[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 53 (Thursday, March 29, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E381]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING THE 39TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TAIWAN RELATIONS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 29, 2018

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, April 10, 2018 marks the 39th 
anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, one of the most important 
components of U.S. policy toward Taiwan. In addition to President 
Reagan's 1982 Six Assurances, the Taiwan Relations Act forms the 
cornerstone of the U.S.-Taiwan relationship, providing unequivocal 
guidance for relations with our ally, an ally whose progress has been 
an inspiration to all those still suffering under repressive 
governments. Taiwan's vibrant democracy, open society, and free market 
are examples to the world of what can be achieved when innovation and 
human rights are allowed to flourish. They also make Taiwan a natural 
partner for the United States, a partnership that has served as an 
anchor for peace and security in the Western Pacific. As we celebrate 
the 39th anniversary of this critical law, it is incumbent upon the 
United States to ensure we are doing everything in our power to ensure 
the promise of the Taiwan Relations Act, assisting Taiwan so that she 
can resist all types of political, economic, and military coercion by 
the regime in Beijing, and strengthening the already formidable U.S.-
Taiwan partnership.
  The American Institute in Taiwan's new compound in Taipei's Neihu 
district exemplifies the significant progress being made in the U.S.-
Taiwan relationship and our long-term commitment to our ally. Built 
with American materials and by American workers, the compound is a 
symbol of strong U.S.-Taiwan relations, and made even more powerful by 
the fact that our lease is for 99 years, a number signifying longevity 
in Taiwanese culture. With an inaugural ceremony for the new compound 
to be held on June 12, 2018, I am looking forward to visiting as soon 
as possible and I encourage all my colleagues to visit and support the 
U.S.-Taiwan relationship.
  Signed into law on March 16, 2018, the Taiwan Travel Act is another 
illustration of our strong partnership with Taiwan. I was a proud 
cosponsor of this law which states that it should be U.S. policy to not 
only allow visits from Taiwanese officials at all levels of government, 
but to encourage and facilitate these visits. It also states that our 
own policy-makers, including at the highest levels of government, 
should visit Taiwan for face-to-face meetings with their counterparts. 
For too long, administration after administration have caved to Chinese 
pressure and self-imposed restrictions in our relations with Taiwan. 
With the Taiwan Travel Act, the United States is doing the right thing 
by our friend and ally and taking another step toward taking full 
advantage of our wonderful partnership.
  Finally, the U.S.-Taiwan economic relationship is very robust as 
Taiwan is the United States' eleventh largest trading partner and the 
United States is Taiwan's second largest. Taiwan's free market and 
importance in global supply chains make it an ideal place for foreign 
investment and Americans have recognized this fact with the United 
States becoming Taiwan's largest investor and an important exporter of 
agricultural goods to Taiwan. We must keep looking for ways to mutually 
benefit from our growing partnership, including through new trade 
deals.
  With the anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act fast approaching, 
this is an opportune time to review the U.S.-Taiwan partnership and 
work toward making our relations even stronger, and I am looking 
forward to working with all my colleagues to see how we can do just 
that.

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