[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 160 (Thursday, September 27, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1328]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HAPPY DOUBLE TEN DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DENNIS A. ROSS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 27, 2018

  Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, both the people of Taiwan and people in 
communities here in the United States will soon celebrate Double Ten 
Day, Taiwan's national day. This year's Double Ten Day is yet another 
cause for celebration. Once again, we can celebrate the remarkable 
transformation Taiwan has undergone in the years since the enactment of 
the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) in 1979, and acknowledge that the TRA 
and the Six Assurances of 1982, which have served as the framework of 
US relations with Taiwan, have stood the test of time.
  While every national day is a celebrated occasion, we must never 
forget that Taiwan is situated in some of the world's most contested 
waters and is facing a People's Republic of China that has met 
President Tsai and her government with hostility from the moment she 
assumed her office. Mindful of those concerns, I'd like to take a 
moment to highlight critical Taiwan related provisions, enacted into 
law in August of this year, in conjunction with the National Defense 
Authorization Act for the fiscal year 2019. This newly enacted law 
reiterates that the TRA and the Six Assurances are the cornerstones of 
our relations with Taiwan. In addition, it calls for the strengthening 
of defense cooperation with Taiwan to ensure they can maintain 
sufficient self-defense capability; for supporting Taiwan's acquisition 
of defensive weapons; and for more predictability with respect to US 
arms sales to Taiwan. This in my view was a critical and timely 
reaffirmation of our support for Taiwan's security.
  The 23 million people of Taiwan have created a vibrant democracy and 
society. The United States has and will stand by our friend for many 
years to come, as we work together for the peace, prosperity, and 
security of freedom-loving people in Asia and across the globe. I am 
proud to call myself a friend of Taiwan, and again wish the people of 
Taiwan a Happy Double Ten Day.

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