[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21522]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE SOUTH CHINA SEA PEACE INITIATIVE OF TAIWANESE PRESIDENT 
                                   MA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE BISHOP

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 17, 2015

  Mr. BISHOP of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, the United States and Taiwan 
enjoy deep and close relationship that covers areas including security, 
culture, and trade. Taiwan has played a significant role in promoting 
democracy in the East Asia and contributed to international 
development, humanitarian missions, and regional stability, such as in 
the South China Sea.
  Earlier this year, Taiwan President Ma proposed the South China Sea 
Peace Initiative, calling on claimants in the region to resolve 
disputes peacefully through international laws, in particular the 
freedom of navigation and overflight, and consultations based on 
equality and reciprocity. I appreciate his leadership and efforts in 
promoting regional peace and stability.
  On December 12, 2015, Taiwan's Minister of the Interior flew to the 
Taiping (Itu Aba) Island, which is the largest natural island in the 
Spratly islands and administered by ROC (Taiwan) government since 1946, 
and reiterated President Ma's South China Sea Peace Initiative. We 
encourage any efforts that contribute to lower regional tensions and 
hope all the parties involved will work together to maintain regional 
peace.

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