Pete Stark: “I rise today to commend Taiwan for embracing democracy and striving for complete autonomy from the People's Republic of…”

“I rise today to commend Taiwan for embracing democracy and striving for complete autonomy from the People's Republic of China (PRC). Taiwan has liberated itself from the oppressive Chiang Kai-shek regime only to be threatened by the current Chinese government. The PRC has a history of using coercion to get what it wants, and the recent missile tests are no different. We all know this is wrong and yet we continue a 'strategic partnership' with this barbaric regime. Today's resolution, H.R. 1838, the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act, antagonizes the PRC. The title of the bill is misleading. Sure, it professes the sense of Congress that we should offer them the military might of the United States, but it will not make Taiwan any more secure. It only raises tensions in the region. To protect the free people of Taiwan and to help the process of democratization in the PRC, we need a coordinated, thoughtful, comprehensive China Policy. This Resolution is not such a policy! For example, China wants and needs integration into the world economy and the WTO. It needs the cooperation of the rest of the world to accomplish this goal. We need a concerted, comprehensive international effort to require that as a condition for the many objectives of the PRC, they give the world assurances of respect for international law, for the rights of the people of Taiwan, and indeed, for the rights of their own people. Therefore, I will not support the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act.”