[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7001]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


            CONGRATULATORY REMARKS TO PRESIDENT MA YING-JEOU

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TIM SCOTT

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 16, 2012

  Mr. SCOTT of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate 
President Ma Ying-jeou of the Republic of China (Taiwan) on his 
inauguration on May 20th, 2012.
  The Republic of China (Taiwan) is the first nation in the ethnic 
Chinese world where democracy has taken root. Today Taiwan celebrates 
freedom and democracy. We hope China will one day transform itself into 
a democratic and free country based on the example set by Taiwan.
  For the past four years, under the leadership of President Ma, the 
relationship between Taiwan and China has improved dramatically, with 
increased economic and cultural exchanges as well as reduced military 
tension across the Taiwan Strait.
  Taiwan and the United States have always had a strong partnership, 
built on cooperation, trust and shared values. In 1979 the U.S. 
Congress enacted the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), the cornerstone of our 
bilateral relationship. While the U.S. and Taiwan do not have formal 
ties, relations between the two sides have continued to strengthen. For 
instance, the support of the U.S. Congress for Taiwan has never 
faltered. We trust that the relations will grow in areas including 
trade, science and technology, educational exchange, military sales 
based on the Taiwan Relations Act.
  On the occasion of Mr. Ma's second inaugural, we celebrate with him 
and his people by affirming our appreciation for their successes and by 
expressing our continued commitment to Taiwan's security and well 
being.

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