[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15879]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                CELEBRATING TAIWAN'S 104TH NATIONAL DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 7, 2015

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, on October 10, Taiwan's 104th National 
Day will be celebrated, marking the anniversary of the Republic of 
China's founding. For many years, Taiwan has been a strong ally of the 
United States, one which shares our interests and values, including an 
enduring commitment to democracy and the freedom of expression. 
Approximately one hundred miles from communist China, Taiwan is a 
beacon of freedom in the Pacific, serving as an inspiration for the 
world's oppressed and as a model for future democratic transitions.
  As we celebrate Taiwan's 104th National Day, we must also think about 
how we can strengthen the U.S.-Taiwan alliance. Taiwan is increasingly 
under pressure from an aggressive China that is attempting to assert 
its dominance in the Pacific and it is crucial that the United States 
provides the kind of assistance--politically, militarily, and 
economically--that will allow Taiwan to resist any type of Chinese 
coercion. China's military buildup, construction of artificial islands, 
and territorial claims, has greatly escalated tensions in the Asia-
Pacific and the risk of conflict with Taiwan. Taiwan's recent 
successful efforts to reduce tensions in the Asia-Pacific can be used 
as a model to find further peaceful solutions in maritime Asia.
  In order to assist Taiwan, the United States should ensure its 
meaningful participation in international organizations and entities 
that it has expressed an interest in participating, including at the 
United Nations. The United States should also help Taiwan upgrade its 
air force and its navy, including assisting in the procurement of 
diesel-electric submarines, so that Taiwan has the capacity to deter 
Chinese aggression and act as a force for peace and stability in the 
region. The United States should also be economically assisting Taiwan, 
our 10th largest trading partner, in order to help it resist China's 
economic pressure. By strengthening U.S.-Taiwan trade ties, we can give 
Taiwan the economic and political flexibility it needs to diversify, 
reduce its reliance on China, and resist Chinese intimidation.
  Taiwan is a vibrant democratic partner and ally that the United 
States cannot afford to neglect. We must remember that not only is the 
Taiwan Relations Act the law of the land in the United States but, 
together with President Reagan's Six Assurances, forms the cornerstone 
of U.S.-Taiwan relations. As Taiwanese all around the world celebrate 
Taiwan's National Day, we here in the United States stand with our 
ally, ready to ensure we are supporting her and its people to the best 
of our ability. Happy Double Tenth Day.

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