[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20572]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          CELEBRATING TAIWAN'S NATIONAL DAY: OCTOBER 10, 2002

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES R. LANGEVIN

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 10, 2002

  Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my best wishes and 
congratulations to the leaders and citizens of Taiwan as they celebrate 
their 91st National Day.
  Despite our lack of formal relations with the Republic of China on 
Taiwan, we enjoy a flourishing relationship. Speaking in New York, 
Secretary of State Colin Powell recently called Taiwan a ``success 
story'' and noted that Taiwan has become a resilient economy, a vibrant 
democracy and a generous contributor to the international community.
  Indeed, Taiwan's economy has grown tremendously in recent decades. 
Taiwan is the United States' eighth-largest trading partner and 
seventh-largest export market. Our exports to Taiwan in 2001 totaled 
$18.2 billion. Taiwan's importance as a world economy was evidenced by 
its accession to the World Trade Organization earlier this year, the 
culmination of twelve years of collaborative efforts with the U.S.
  Over the past several decades, Taiwan has also become a successful 
model of rapid political reform. Taiwan today is home to more than 
ninety political parties, and virtually every political office is hotly 
contested through free and fair elections. Just two years ago, Mr. Chen 
Shui-bian, a former political dissident, was elected the tenth 
president of the Republic of China.
  Taiwan is making significant contributions to the international 
community, and I know that our bilateral relations will only grow 
stronger in the coming years. Mr. Speaker, I know you and all our 
colleagues join me in sending congratulations to the people of Taiwan 
on this special day.

                          ____________________