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[Page: H2342]

Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 148) expressing the sense to the Congress that the United States is committed to the military stability of the Taiwan Straits and United States military forces should defend Taiwan in the event of invasion, missile attack, or blockade by the People's Republic of China, as amended.

The Clerk read as follows:

H. Con. Res. 148

Whereas the United States began its long, peaceful, and friendly relationship with the Republic of China on Taiwan in 1949;

Whereas since the enactment in 1979 of the Taiwan Relations Act, the policy of the United States has been based on the expectation that the future relationship between the People's Republic of China and Taiwan will be determined by peaceful means and by mutual agreement between the parties;

Whereas the People's Republic of China's intense efforts to intimidate Taiwan have reached a level that threatens to undermine stability throughout the region;

Whereas, since the beginning of 1996, the leaders of the People's Republic of China have frequently threatened to use military force against Taiwan;

Whereas for the past year the People's Republic of China has conducted military maneuvers designed to intimidate Taiwan both during its democratic legislative elections in 1995 and during the period preceding democratic presidential elections in March 1996;

Whereas these military maneuvers and tests have included the firing of 6 nuclear-capable missiles approximately 100 miles north of Taiwan in July 1995;

Whereas the firing of missiles near Taiwan and the interruption of international shipping and aviation lanes threaten both Taiwan and the political, military, and commercial interests of the United States and its allies;

Whereas in the face of such action, Taiwan is entitled to defend itself from military aggression, including through the development of an anti-ballistic missile defense system;

Whereas the United States and Taiwan have enjoyed a longstanding and uninterrupted friendship, which has only increased in light of the remarkable economic development and political liberalization in Taiwan in recent years;

Whereas Taiwan has achieved tremendous economic success in becoming the 19th largest economy in the world;

Whereas Taiwan has reached a historic turning point in the development of Chinese democracy, as on March 23, 1996, it will conduct the first competitive, free, fair, direct, and popular election of a head of state in over 4,000 years of recorded Chinese history;

Whereas for the past century the United States has promoted democracy and economic freedom around the world, and the evolution of Taiwan is an outstanding example of the success of that policy;

Whereas the Taiwan Relations Act directs the President to inform the Congress promptly of any threat to Taiwan's security and provides that the President and the Congress shall determine, in accordance with constitutional processes, appropriate United States action in response; and

Whereas the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 rests on the premise that the United States will assist Taiwan should it face any effort to determine its future by other than peaceful means, including by boycotts or embargoes: Now, therefore, be it;

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that--

(1) the People's Republic of China should immediately live up to its commitment to the United States to work for a peaceful resolution of any disagreements with Taiwan, and accordingly desist from military actions designed to intimidate Taiwan;

(2) the People's Republic of China should engage in negotiations to discuss any outstanding points of disagreement with Taiwan without any threat of military or economic coercion against Taiwan;

(3) Taiwan has stated and should adhere to its commitment to negotiate its future relations with the People's Republic of China by mutual decision, not unilateral action;

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