Recognizing the 103rd National Day of Taiwan
Floor Speech
Mr. DesJARLAIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 103rd national day of the Republic of China (ROC), which is known by most Americans as Taiwan.
Double Ten Day, which as the name implies falls on October 10, commemorates the Wuchang Uprising, an event that triggered a revolution leading to the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty and the establishment of the ROC on January 1, 1912.
The United States has since stood by the ROC as we faced common enemies over the course of World War II and through the Cold War. With the creation and enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act in 1979, Congress guaranteed the continuing importance of the special U.S.-Taiwan relationship. Through the hard work and determination of its people, Taiwan has built a democracy that has witnessed direct presidential elections every four years since 1966 and has twice seen the peaceful passage of power from one political party to another.
Taiwan is a shining example to other countries who aspire to democracy both in the Asia-Pacific region and around the world. It is a regional and global economic and cultural force as a major innovator in high-technology and contributor to art and fashion. Through our shared security partnership, Taiwan also contributes to the security of the Asia-Pacific region.
With the rise of tensions over the Diaoyutai/Senkaku Islands and other areas of the East China Sea two years ago--tensions that remain prevalent today--Taiwan under the leadership of President Ma Ying-jeou proposed an East China Sea peace initiative. It calls for dialogue and diplomacy to reduce tensions among the claimants to promote mutual benefit from the natural-bounties of the disputed waters. This kind of vision is sorely needed in these types of global disputes, and it should be given due consideration by the international community.
At a House Foreign Affairs hearing this past March, the State Department's Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs responded positively to President Ma's proposal. I hope my colleagues will study it and consider its proposals. And in appreciation of Taiwan's many contributions to the global community, I hope that they will join me in wishing the people of Taiwan a Happy Double Ten Day.
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