[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20566]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             FLOOR STATEMENT ON TAIWAN'S 91ST NATIONAL DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. CHRISTOPHER COX

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 10, 2002

  Mr. COX. Mr. Speaker, today I have the great pleasure of sending my 
congratulations to the people of Taiwan on the 91st anniversary of 
Double Ten National Day.
  Ninety-one years ago today, forces loyal to Sun Yat-sen led the 
Wuch'ang uprising and paved the way for the rise of a new political 
experiment in democracy for the people of China--the establishment of 
the Republic of China, Asia's first republic. This was a turning point 
not only in the history of the East but in the history of the world.
  In 1911, Dr. Sun envisioned a China that was nationalist, democratic, 
and dedicated to the social well-being of its citizens. While his 
Republic's political control on the mainland of China was short-lived, 
its impact in the minds of the people of China is eternal.
  After more than 50 years of sound economic and political development, 
the Republic of China on Taiwan has proven to the world that not only 
the citizens of Taiwan, but all of the people of China can govern 
themselves in a system that is--as Dr. Sun Yat-sen envisioned--Chinese, 
democratic, and prosperous. The significance of this experiment is 
especially meaningful to us now because Taiwan has attained such a full 
measure of economic and political freedom.
  And in that fifty year history, Taiwan has proven to be one of 
America's most loyal friends. It is my deepest hope that we continue to 
recognize Taiwan's great achievements, loyal friendship, and sustained 
progress by continuing to promote Taiwan's participation in the World 
Trade Organization and such global bodies as the World Health 
Organization. We must also continue to provide Taiwan the defensive 
arms it requires to maintain peace on the Taiwan Strait.
  I am very happy to join with the citizens of Taiwan to celebrate 
Double Ten National Day 2002.

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