[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14893]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               COMMEMORATING TAIWAN'S COMMITMENT TO PEACE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DAVID RIVERA

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 21, 2012

  Mr. RIVERA. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Foreign Affairs 
Committee, I rise today to draw attention to the increasing conflict in 
the East China Sea and to reiterate the necessity to remain involved in 
the region given the growing security threats and challenges to U.S. 
interests.
  In light of the latest controversies in the East China Sea and the 
Diaoyutai Islands, President Ma Ying-jeou of the Republic of China 
(Taiwan) proposed the East China Sea Peace Initiative in August 2012, 
which calls on the People's Republic of China, Japan, and Taiwan to 
resolve the Diaoyutai dispute peacefully.
  With respect to the Diaoyutai issue, the government of Taiwan has 
consistently affirmed its position of ``safeguarding sovereignty, 
shelving disputes, pursuing peace and reciprocity, and promoting joint 
exploration and development.''
  The Diaoyutai Islands are located in the East China Sea, which is an 
important air and sea transportation hub in the western Pacific, and 
therefore have clear significance for security and peace in the Asia-
Pacific region.
  In order to foster regional peace and stability, economic prosperity 
and the sustainable development of the marine environment, as well as 
to seek out a path to coexistence and mutual prosperity, the government 
of Taiwan proposes the East China Sea Peace Initiative and calls on all 
parties concerned to:
  1. Refrain from taking any antagonistic actions;
  2. Shelve controversies and not abandon dialogue;
  3. Observe international law and resolve disputes through peaceful 
means;
  4. Seek consensus on a code of conduct in the East China Sea;
  5. Establish a mechanism for cooperation on exploring and developing 
resources in the East China Sea.
  I believe we must stand with Taiwan, an ally that shares our values 
of freedom and democracy. I commend the peace initiative proposed by 
President Ma and recognize Taiwan government's efforts in promoting 
peace and stability in East Asia.

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