Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I first want to thank the chairman of the Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee, Congressman Matt Salmon, for introducing this important resolution. Taiwan is indeed 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. Taiwan is a beacon of freedom in the Pacific, serving as an inspiration for the world's oppressed, and it serves as a model for future democratic transitions. Unfortunately, however, Taiwan is under increasing pressure from an aggressive China that is attempting to assert its dominance in the Pacific and to isolate Taiwan on the international stage. One organization that China has prevented Taiwan from joining is INTERPOL, the International Criminal Police Organization. INTERPOL was created, Mr. Speaker, to promote international cooperation between criminal police authorities; but because of undue Chinese pressure, Taiwan is no longer a member of INTERPOL. Taiwan is forced to receive less effective, secondhand information about international criminals and their illicit activities. Likewise, Taiwan cannot share the law enforcement information that it gathers in order to benefit INTERPOL. In China's efforts to exclude Taiwan and in the efforts of some nations to accommodate China, they have ended up hurting Taiwan and the entire international community in the process.…”