[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18631]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  REMEMBERING THE HISTORIC MEETING BETWEEN TAIWAN AND CHINA PRESIDENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 19, 2015

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, as someone, who since 1978 has followed with 
great interest the tinder box of South East Asia, the recent meeting 
between Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou and China's President Xi 
Jinping is an historic event that I did not think I would see in my 
lifetime.
  On November 7 of this year, Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou and 
China's President Xi Jinping met in Singapore. The two leaders shook 
hands, gave speeches and discussed cross-Strait relations.
  Before Taiwan's President Ma took office in 2008, the relationship 
between Taiwan and China was severely strained. The conflict over 
Pacific Island ownership and dispute over many other issues portends 
problems that could threaten peace in the region.
  We greatly appreciate President Ma's initiative and leadership in 
pursuing this meeting and reducing tension along the Taiwan Strait.
  With the recent tragedy in Paris and the increased violence in the 
Middle East, it is so vital that there is peace along the Taiwan 
Strait.
  We look forward to seeing even greater peace and stability in the 
region as a result of this historic meeting between these two 
Presidents and view it as a first step on a long road.

                          ____________________