Bob Schaffer: “Mr. Speaker, Taiwan has played a positive role in promoting world trade and eradicating poverty and in advancing human…”

“Mr. Speaker, Taiwan has played a positive role in promoting world trade and eradicating poverty and in advancing human rights, a fact that merits recognition by members of the United Nations. Taiwan has a population of 23 million and has a democratic system of government, but above all, it is a peace-loving nation which is able and willing to carry out the obligations contained in the charter of the United Nations. Today the people of Taiwan enjoy a high degree of freedom and democracy. Taiwan held its first presidential election in March of 1996, the first time in history that Taiwan elected its highest leader by a popular vote. In March of 2000, Mr. Chen Shui-bian of the Democrat Progressive Party was elected in the second direct presidential election, marking the first ever change of political parties for the Taiwan presidency. Since Mr. Chen's inauguration on May 20 of this year, the people of Taiwan have witnessed a peaceful transition of power as a result of a democratic election. Taiwan is one of the most successful examples of economic development in the 21st century, and is now the world's 19th largest economy in terms of gross national product, and the 14th most important trading country where the United States is concerned. It is also a major investor in East Asia, and possesses the third largest amount of foreign reserves in the world.”