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[Page: H1202]
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the gentleman from California [Mr. Horn] is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, the diplomatic recognition of the government in Beijing in 1979 did not end our relationship with Taiwan. The Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 formally reiterated United States support for the people of Taiwan. Since 1979, U.S. relations have grown steadily closer with both the People's Republic and the Republic of China within the framework of `One China, Two Systems.' Despite the growing interaction of the United States with both governments, a dark cloud hangs over future peaceful development. This dark cloud is the refusal of the Beijing Government to renounce the use of force against Taiwan.
Beijing still regards Taiwan as a renegade province that is destined to return to the motherland of China--by peaceful means if possible, by force if necessary. If the people of Taiwan freely and fairly choose to reunite with the mainland--which they have not yet done--then that is their business. If the people of Taiwan are forced to reunite with the mainland--or are intimidated into doing so--then that situation will become the business of the whole world, including the United States of America. The people of Taiwan are friends of the United States, as we are friends with them. We respect the aspirations of the Taiwanese and support them in the pursuit of their dreams.
Increasingly, the people of Taiwan also seek a role in governing themselves--a dream that will be fully realized on March 23 when they freely elect their own president and national assembly. This free election is the culmination of years of reform in the political process in Taiwan. It is an obvious contradiction to those who say that Asian cultures cannot and do not support widespread democratic reforms. That is the view by many of the autocrats of Asia. Sadly, it is also the view within some Western circles. March 23 will be an historic date in the advance of freedom during this troubled century.
There is no freedom for the 1.1 billion people of mainland China. There is growing economic freedom. But the aging Communist oligarchy that rules the People's Republic of China is out of step with the aspirations of its own dynamic citizenry.
Now, in recent weeks, officials of the government in Beijing have recklessly escalated their rhetoric, threatening the lives of not only the people of Taiwan, but even the United States. In an appalling turn, the veiled threat of nuclear destruction has been leveled against Taiwan and the United States. Apparently, the mainland Chinese believe that the people of the United States, and Congress, will be cowed by their bluster. They are wrong.
Shortly before the invasion of South Korea in June, 1950, it was suggested by the American Secretary of State that the Korean peninsula was outside of direct United States interests. This played a large part in encouraging the leaders of North Korea that the United States would not interfere with their plans to reunify Korea by force. The recently dedicated memorial on the Mall to the thousands of Americans who died to prevent aggression is proof that they were wrong. It would be a tragic mistake for the current leaders in Beijing to make the same mistake that their then allies in North Korea made nearly a half century ago. It is time for the President to clarify a somewhat stealth China policy that could invite disaster for the people of China, Taiwan, and the United States.
The United States supports peace, and will welcome the opportunity to discuss and resolve our current differences with the people of China. The people of the United States have no dispute with the Chinese. We share many of the same interests. We agree on many important issues. It would be foolish to throw away years of careful progress. That progress has led to mutual friendship and mutual respect. That progress should not stop over aggressive moves that threaten peace. Unfortunately, recent actions by the Government of the People's Republic of China suggest that these hopes are not important to that current government.
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