[House Hearing, 106 Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]
CONGRATULATING THE PEOPLE OF TAIWAN FOR THE SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION OF
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS ON MARCH 18, 2000, AND REAFFIRMING THE UNITED
STATES POLICY TOWARD TAIWAN AND THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
=======================================================================
MARKUP
BEFORE THE
SUBCOMMITTEE ON ASIA AND THE PACIFIC
OF THE
COMMITTEE ON
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
ONE HUNDRED SIXTH CONGRESS
FIRST SESSION
__________
MARCH 22, 2000
__________
Serial No. 106-105
__________
Printed for the use of the Committee on International Relations
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
64-590 CC WASHINGTON : 2000
COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
BENJAMIN A. GILMAN, New York, Chairman
WILLIAM F. GOODLING, Pennsylvania SAM GEJDENSON, Connecticut
JAMES A. LEACH, Iowa TOM LANTOS, California
HENRY J. HYDE, Illinois HOWARD L. BERMAN, California
DOUG BEREUTER, Nebraska GARY L. ACKERMAN, New York
CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH, New Jersey ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA, American
DAN BURTON, Indiana Samoa
ELTON GALLEGLY, California MATTHEW G. MARTINEZ, California
ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN, Florida DONALD M. PAYNE, New Jersey
CASS BALLENGER, North Carolina ROBERT MENENDEZ, New Jersey
DANA ROHRABACHER, California SHERROD BROWN, Ohio
DONALD A. MANZULLO, Illinois CYNTHIA A. McKINNEY, Georgia
EDWARD R. ROYCE, California ALCEE L. HASTINGS, Florida
PETER T. KING, New York PAT DANNER, Missouri
STEVE CHABOT, Ohio EARL F. HILLIARD, Alabama
MARSHALL ``MARK'' SANFORD, South BRAD SHERMAN, California
Carolina ROBERT WEXLER, Florida
MATT SALMON, Arizona STEVEN R. ROTHMAN, New Jersey
AMO HOUGHTON, New York JIM DAVIS, Florida
TOM CAMPBELL, California EARL POMEROY, North Dakota
JOHN M. McHUGH, New York WILLIAM D. DELAHUNT, Massachusetts
KEVIN BRADY, Texas GREGORY W. MEEKS, New York
RICHARD BURR, North Carolina BARBARA LEE, California
PAUL E. GILLMOR, Ohio JOSEPH CROWLEY, New York
GEORGE P. RADANOVICH, California JOSEPH M. HOEFFEL, Pennsylvania
JOHN COOKSEY, Louisiana
THOMAS G. TANCREDO, Colorado
Richard J. Garon, Chief of Staff
Kathleen Bertelsen Moazed, Democratic Chief of Staff
------
Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific
DOUG BEREUTER, Nebraska, Chairman
JAMES A. LEACH, Iowa TOM LANTOS, California
DANA ROHRABACHER, California HOWARD L. BERMAN, California
PETER T. KING, New York ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA, American
MARSHALL ``MARK'' SANFORD, South Samoa
Carolina MATTHEW G. MARTINEZ, California
MATT SALMON, Arizona SHERROD BROWN, Ohio
JOHN McHUGH, New York ROBERT WEXLER, Florida
RICHARD BURR, North Carolina JIM DAVIS, Florida
PAUL GILLMOR, Ohio EARL POMEROY, North Dakota
DONALD A. MANZULLO, Illinois GARY L. ACKERMAN, New York
EDWARD R. ROYCE, California ALCEE L. HASTINGS, Florida
JOHN COOKSEY, Louisiana
Michael P. Ennis, Subcommittee Staff Director
Dr. Robert King, Democratic Professional Staff Member
Matt Reynolds, Counsel
Alicia A. O'Donnell, Staff Associate
C O N T E N T S
----------
APPENDIX
Page
Bills:
H. Con Res.292................................................... 8
Additional materials for the record:
A statement from the Honorable Sherrod Brown, a Representative in
Congress from Ohio............................................. 12
CONGRATULATING THE PEOPLE OF TAIWAN FOR THE SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION OF
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS ON MARCH 18, 2000, AND REAFFIRMING THE UNITED
STATES POLICY TOWARD TAIWAN AND THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
----------
Wednesday, March 22, 2000
House of Representatives,
Committee on International Relations,
Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific,
Washington, D.C.,
The Subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 1:13 p.m.,
Hon. Doug Bereuter [Chairman of the Subcommittee) presiding.
Mr. Bereuter. Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific meets in
open session to consider a resolution. May I say, how much I
appreciate my colleague, Tom Lantos, the Ranking Member of this
Subcommittee?
The clerk will read House Concurrent Resolution 292--
Congratulating the people of Taiwan on the recent elections.
CLERK. Cooksey. House Concurrent Resolution 292, a
concurrent resolution congratulating the people of Taiwan for
the successful conclusion of Presidential elections on March
18, 2000, and reaffirming United States policy toward Taiwan
and the People's Republic of China. Whereas, section 2----
Mr. Bereuter. Without objection, further reading of the
resolution will be dispensed with, printed in the record in
full, and open for amendments.
[The resolution appears in the appendix.]
Mr. Bereuter. This resolution was introduced by the
Majority Leader to congratulate the people of Taiwan for the
successful conclusion of their presidential election on March
18. Indeed, this election represents the first such transition
of national office from one elected leader to another elected
leader in the very long history of Chinese society, and, of
course, it marks a change in the party affiliation from the
current leadership of Taiwan.
The people of Taiwan are to be congratulated for their
continuing efforts in developing and sustaining a free,
democratic society which respects human rights and embraces
free markets. Contrary to the claims of those trying to defend
Communism and other authoritarian forms of government, this
election clearly demonstrates that democracy works in China and
that the Chinese people yearn for it and would flourish with
it. The success of democracy in Taiwan is, indeed, a powerful
model for the mainland.
This resolution also acknowledges that a stable and
peaceful security environment in East Asia is essential to the
furthering democratic developments in Taiwan and other
countries, and it reaffirms U.S. policy toward Taiwan as set
forth in the Taiwan Relations Act. In this regard, the
resolution appropriately expresses the sense of Congress that
the People's Republic of China (PRC) should abandon its present
provocative threats against Taiwan and that the PRC should
undertake steps that would lead to substantive dialogue,
including a renunciation of the use of force against Taiwan and
the encouragement of democracy, to the rule of law, and to the
protections of human and religious rights in the People's
Republic of China.
I am encouraged that since the election in Taiwan, Beijing
has curtailed, to a certain degree, its aggressive and
unhelpful rhetoric and that it appears again, to a certain
degree, to be extending the offer for a renewed dialogue. It is
an offer which I hope is presented in good faith. Across the
strait, President-elect Chen and others in Taipei are also
calling for a renewed dialogue with the PRC and are already
adopting the kind of responsible, statesman-like policies, or
at least rhetoric at this point, that could expand and
accelerate the dialogue. As you know, the inauguration isn't
until May 20th.
I would like to point out to the Subcommittee Members that
this resolution is the product of input from Majority and
Minority members, and that a similar resolution with this
bipartisan language is being introduced in the Senate. Our
colleague, Mr. Lantos, and others have made very helpful
suggestions which, by the way, have been accepted by the
Majority Leader.
I want to express my appreciation for the interest and
support of Mr. Lantos, the distinguished gentleman from
California, for facilitating the prompt consideration of this
resolution and for his unwavering support for human rights and
democracy in East Asia and throughout the world through his
leadership on the Human Rights Caucus. I turn to him for any
comments he may wish to make at this point. Mr. Lantos.
Mr. Lantos. I thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, and let me
fully reciprocate all of your very gracious comments. I am in
full support of the resolution. I think it is a carefully
crafted resolution and I hope that it will get overwhelming, if
not unanimous support when we take it to the floor.
I think it is important in dealing with China to
understand, as I know both you and our friend from California,
Mr. Rohrabacher, fully understand, that all of us view China as
one of the great civilizations on this planet. There is nothing
that we would like to see more than increasingly harmonious and
constructive and growing relations with China, and in this
instance, the example of Taiwan, in having developed one of the
most remarkable economic success stories of the last period,
while simultaneously transforming itself from an authoritarian
society to a full-fledged political democracy, is one of the
great success stories of the post-World War II era. It is a
remarkable phenomenon.
When we support Taiwan and when we congratulate Taiwan, the
president-elect of Taiwan, we do so in a very genuine fashion.
There are no second thoughts behind our congratulations. You
remember the old story of the two psychiatrists meeting on the
street, and one is telling the other, ``Hello,''and the second
psychiatrist responding, ``Hello.'' Then they walk on, and then
they both stop and turn around and say, ``I wonder what he
meant by that.''
We mean by this exactly what we are saying. We are
congratulating the people of Taiwan for having achieved an
incredible economic success story and for having built a
political democracy. Now, I think I speak for both you and Mr.
Rohrabacher and myself, this is what we all want. This is what
we all want in Cuba. That is what we all want everywhere.
This is not an anti-China statement, it is a statement
congratulating the people of Taiwan and hoping the people of
China will move in a similar direction.
I think it is very important for the people who are in
charge in Beijing now to fully understand that whenever we
express views supportive of democracy, this is not a hidden
slap at them. When, several years ago, I introduced a
resolution ordering the State Department to issue a visa to
President Lee of Taiwan, it was not an anti-Chinese move, it
was a move recognizing that we, as a free society, should allow
distinguished graduates of our own distinguished universities
to visit the United States. That is not a subversive thought.
It is not anti-anybody.
So, I want to commend you, Mr. Chairman, for your support
of this resolution. I am very pleased to support the
resolution, and I commend the Majority Leader for introducing
it.
I yield the balance of my time.
Mr. Bereuter. Thank you, Mr. Lantos. I believe the Majority
Leader would welcome co-sponsorships, and I intend to add my
name if he will have it. Perhaps the two gentlemen here would
also like to.
Are there further comments? The gentleman from California,
Mr. Rohrabacher.
Mr. Rohrabacher. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, and
thank you, Mr. Lantos, for that very generous set of remarks.
Again, we often have disagreements, Mr. Lantos and I go at it
every now and then, but one of the great things that we have
got going for us here in America, that we want to share with
everybody, is the fact that we all have a common commitment to
freedom and liberty and justice, and treating people decently.
That overpowers anything where we could disagree, and most of
our disagreements are just basically on interpretations and not
anything fundamental, and on this resolution, I think it is
exemplified by this resolution, by the fact I believe it will
get unanimous--at least bipartisan, if not unanimous support.
The people of Taiwan, they have just gone through a major
historic event, and the Republic of China on Taiwan is now
demonstrating that democracy will work within the context of a
Chinese culture, and China being such an important
civilization, that this is a powerful historic statement. So we
applaud this resolution of what will applaud and I am sure does
applaud, we applaud the courage of the people of the Republic
of China on Taiwan in this free election. They faced down
threats, they faced down intimidation by an unelected regime on
the mainland of China, and they came through this belligerency,
as I say, with strength and courage of conviction, and held
their elections, and their election was a model for many people
in the developing world.
The people of Taiwan, in fact, by having this free election
in the midst of this type of intimidation and belligerence on
the part of the mainland, have inspired all people who believe
in liberty and justice and democracy throughout the world. It
is really an incredible inspiration.
I wonder how many people in our country, who sometimes
don't even go out and vote, shouldn't take note that here we
have people who are going out and voting in the most severe of
situations, where people are threatening to do them harm if
they actually went through with this democratic election. So,
again, their courage has not only served themselves, but served
the cause of human freedom by inspiring other people throughout
the world, and serves as a model for developing countries, and,
also, what we have seen now serves as a model for the mainland.
The people on the mainland of China must be asking
themselves now, ``Why can't we have a say in directing our own
destiny through a free election?'' This is the first time in
history that a Chinese government will change, will transfer
power from one group of people to another based on the wishes
of the people expressed through a free election.
This is a model for the mainland of China. They have got
prosperity, they have got freedom, and they have got a social
cohesion on Taiwan that would serve well on the mainland of
China if they only gave free government a chance.
So, I join you, Mr. Chairman, and join Mr. Lantos in this
piece of legislation. We congratulate President Lee for the
good job that he has done on Taiwan in these last 5 years, and
we wish good luck and best wishes to President-elect Chen, and
we are with the people of the Republic of China on Taiwan and
all people who believe in democracy. Thank you.
Mr. Bereuter. Thank you, Mr. Rohrabacher. It is indeed, as
mentioned, the first time that an elected Chinese government
has given way to another elected Chinese government.
Dr. Cooksey, we are about to go to the amendatory process,
if amendments are in order, so, if you do have an opening
statement, this would be the time to present it. Would you care
to make any comments?
Dr. Cooksey. Just very briefly. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I,
too, want to associate my remarks with several of the remarks
of Mr. Rohrabacher. Lee Teng-hui had done a great job, I think,
as the President, and he was really the first one that brought
China--Taiwan or Nationalist China to some form of a democracy,
and that has really been in recent years. So they are not too
many years ahead of the PRC, but they were there, they have
done a lot of the right things.
I happen to have met President-elect Chen Shui-bian last
August. He is a very bright guy; he is well-educated. He was
not considered a serious candidate when I met him, but I think
he is a capable person, and, most importantly, he was elected
through a free and open democratic process. I am pleased to see
that his vice president is a woman, and, hopefully, we can make
that much progress in this democracy sometime in the not too
distant future, to elect a female vice president in this
country.
I have confidence that the Nation of Taiwan will survive. I
understand the desire of a lot of people on both sides of the
Taiwan Straits to have one China, and I think that is a
decision to be made by the Chinese people. I think it is a
decision to be made through a democratic process, again, and
not through belligerence and saber-rattling. There is a
tendency to do that in that country, as we do in this country
too much, when there are political campaigns going on.
But, again, my congratulations to the President-elect, Mr.
Chen Shui-bian and to his Vice President, Annette Hsiu-lu.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Bereuter. Dr. Cooksey, thank you very much. If there is
no further introductory comment from Members, the resolution is
open for amendment at any point. Are there amendments to be
offered?
[No response.]
Mr. Bereuter. If there are no amendments, and, apparently
there are not, the question occurs on agreeing to the
resolution. As many as in favor will say aye.
[A chorus of ayes.]
Mr. Bereuter. As many as opposed will say no.
[No noes.]
Mr. Bereuter. The ayes have it, and the resolution is
agreed to without objection. The staff is authorized to make
technical, grammatical, and conforming changes to the text just
agreed to.
I thank my colleagues for their attendance at this mark-up,
and I want them to know that it is my understanding that it is
the intention of the International Relations Committee to mark-
up this resolution tomorrow morning at the conclusion of the
Committee's oversight hearing on U.S. policy toward Iraq and to
mark-up another resolution coming from the International
Operations and Human Rights Subcommittee.
With that, I thank my colleagues again, and the
Subcommittee is adjourned.
[Whereupon, at 1:19 p.m., the Subcommittee adjourned.]
=======================================================================
A P P E N D I X
March 22, 2000
=======================================================================
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] T4590.001
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] T4590.002
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] T4590.003
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] T4590.004
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] T4590.005
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] T4590.006