[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7458]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



[[Page 7458]]

                          EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS

   RECOGNIZING THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA (TAIWAN) ON THEIR MAY 20, 2012 
                       PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ANDER CRENSHAW

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 18, 2012

  Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate The Republic 
of China, Taiwan, on its presidential inauguration, which is taking 
place on May 20, 2012. President Ma Ying-jeou of the Chinese 
Nationalist Party was re-elected to a second term on January 14, 2012. 
That day marked another successful election for the people of Taiwan 
and the many accomplishments of President Ma over the last four years.
  Under President Ma's leadership, Taiwan has become a true economic 
success story. Unemployment has remained low at 5.3 percent. At the 
same time, salary, wages, and well-paid jobs have risen. Taiwan is 
currently the world's 18th largest economy with a GDP of U.S. $501.7 
billion. In addition, on April 29, 2009 the World Health Organization 
invited Taiwan as an observer at the World Health Assembly; which is a 
significant step forward for Taiwan's international standing and the 
health of the people of the East-Asian and Pacific region.
  Over the past four years, President Ma has strived for Cross-strait 
peace, stability, and improved relations between Taiwan and China. 
Today, there are direct flights, postal services, and new shipping 
routes between Taiwan and China. In addition, a landmark free trade 
agreement with China has slashed tariffs on hundreds of goods and 
produced numerous job opportunities for both Taiwan and China.
  Equally important, Taiwan has worked hard to maintain a longstanding 
U.S. security partnership. The Taiwan Relations Act has been 
instrumental in maintaining peace, security, and stability in the 
Taiwan Straits and the Western Pacific since its enactment in 1979.
  Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working closely with our allies to 
find solutions for ensuring Taiwan's long-term security, and to deepen 
our dialogue with the people of Taiwan. I applaud President Ma's 
dedication to maintaining peace and stability for Taiwan and his 
support for our shared democratic values; and I look forward to working 
with him during his second term.

                          ____________________