[Page: E3329]
- Mr. SCHEUER. Mr. Speaker, I know that many of my colleagues share my interest in the economic and political trends affecting the United States' relations with the Republic of China on Taiwan, especially as the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of China approaches.
- Among the many distinguished scholars specializing in the study of Taiwan is Dr. Winston L.Y. Yang of the Department of Asian Studies at Seton Hall University. Over the years, Dr. Yang has distinguished himself as an expert in United States relations with Taiwan and democratization on Taiwan.
- Dr. Yang recently prepared an article on recent developments on Taiwan, and I would like to introduce it into the Record for the use and information of my colleagues:
On April 30, 1991, President Lee Teng-hui announced in Taipel his government's decision to bring an end to the `Period of Mobilization for Suppression of the Communist Rebellion,' clearing the way for full democracy in Taiwan and reconciliation with Peking.
Under President Lee's leadership, Taiwan, especially since Mr. Hau Pei-tsun became Premier in June, 1990, has taken many concrete steps to move toward greater democracy. Its people have enjoyed unprecedented freedoms and better human rights protection. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has emerged as a strong opposition force to challenge the ruling party, Kuomintang (KMT). Despite some problems, a two-party democratic structure, similar to the U.S. system, has emerged in Taiwan.
Mr. Hau, personally selected by President Lee as the ROC's Premier, is committed, like Mr. Lee, to democratic reforms. Since his inauguration, Mr. Hau has contributed much to Taiwan's democratization, stability, and economic development by adopting or carrying out the following policies or programs:
Hastening the pace of democratization while stressing the importance of the rule of law in his administrative operations.
Taking necessary legal steps against the illegal actions taken by Taiwan Independence Movement leaders in order to ensure Taiwan's stability.
Adopting a 6-year Comprehensive National Development Program to ensure more rapid economic growth and better quality of life.
Improving Taiwan's international standing by adopting a pragmatic foreign policy to improve or upgrade existing relations with a number of foreign countries.
Adopting a more pragmatic policy to reduce tensions and improve relations with Mainland China and establishing two important organizations to handle problems arising from the growing unofficial contacts and exchanges between Taiwan and the Mainland.
Carrying out a national defense modernization program to strengthen Taiwan's defense capabilities.
Taking a number of important measures to reduce robberies, violence, and other illegal and criminal activities to ensure the safety of the people.
The above and other policies and programs adopted by the Premier have gradually improved Taiwan's political, economic, and social situations to enable the island republic to move toward orderly democratization. With his determination and self-confidence, Mr. Hau is helping Taiwan achieve fuller democracy, greater stability, and more prosperity.
As a result of his programs and achievements, Premier Hau, like President Lee, has been given high ratings (well over 80%) in public opinion polls conducted since his inauguration. It is obvious that the people of Taiwan have overwhelmingly approved Mr. Hau's policies, programs, and performances.
Mr. Hau had a distinguished military career before he was named Premier. During his 8-year tenure as the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces and a 1-year term as Defense Minister, he made great contributions to Taiwan's defense modernization designed to strengthen its security. After he was nominated by President Lee to serve as Premier, Mr. Hau retired from active military duty. Following the steps of Dwight D. Eisenhower, George Marshall, and Chen Cheng, Mr. Hau resigned from the armed forces to become a political leader. It is not true that the military, as alleged by some critics, dominates Taiwan's politics under Premier Hau. Taiwan's armed forces have long been nationalized. As a national army committed to democratic reform process, the military has been neutral and nonpolitical. Its sole responsibility is national defense. In fact, the armed forces have been under the command of Lee Teng-hui, the duly elected President.
Despite the much reduced tension between Taiwan and Mainland China, the Peking government has refused to rule out the possibility of the use of force against Taiwan whenever necessary. Taiwan is thus still under the military threats
of the Communist regime in Peking. It is necessary, therefore, for Taiwan to ensure its internal security and stability in every way it can.
Although Taiwan has not yet reached the perfect stage of human rights in recent years. Few cases of political and other extrajudicial killing, torture or other cruel punishment have been reported during the past year. Arbitrary arrests, detention of exiles, denial of fair public trials have rarely been heard of. Arbitrary interference with privacy is not allowed. Civil liberties, such as the freedoms of speech and press, religion, and peaceful assembly and association, have been well respected. Some observers even believe that such freedoms have been practiced excessively.
Some observers have criticized the government's failure to allow certain radical Taiwan independence movement leaders to return to Taiwan from abroad. The government has barred their return on the basis of the National Security Law because they intend to promote the independence movement in Taiwan or even create great disturbance or violence so as to illegally overthrow the government.
Exit and entry permits may be refused for a number of reasons. Under the National Security Law, however, reasons for refusal must be given, and appeals may be made to a special board. Only a very small number of applications for entry into Taiwan have been denied pursuant to the National Security Law because these applicants pose `grave risks to national security or social stability.' A number of dissidents (about 10) who have entered Taiwan without visas were subsequently either deported or prosecuted for illegal entry. The government has indicated that it has greatly reduced the number of persons on the so-called blacklist of persons denied admission because of grave risks to national security.
Like all other countries, including the U.S., the ROC refuses to allow a very small number of persons to enter Taiwan purely for national security reasons. The National Security Law has been the legal basis for the disapproval of entry applications.
Taiwan's legal system is based on European and Japanese models and does not provide for trial by jury. All judges are appointed by, and responsible to, the Judicial Yuan. The judiciary is independent and is rarely susceptible to political or personal pressure. Since the lifting of martial law on July 15, 1987, civilians may no longer be tried in military courts. Trials are public, but attendance at trials involving juveniles or politically sensitive issues may require permission from the court. Defendants have a right to an attorney, but an attorney will be assigned by the court only in serious cases. If the defendanted is suspect of committing a crime for which the penalty is 3 or more years imprisonment, or if the defendant is handicapped or elderly, the judge may assign an attorney.
The government permits representatives of nearly all credible international human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Asia Watch, to visit Taiwan and meet citizens freely. Taiwan has two principal human rights organizations: the Chinese Association of Human Rights (CAHR) and the Taiwan Association for Human Rights (TAHR). Both have been fairly active.
Taiwan has indeed taken some significant steps to move away from its authoritarian political system to a more pluralistic one.
President Lee and Premier Hau, both of whom received part of their education in the U.S., are equally committed to human rights protection. Even though Taiwan's human rights record may not yet have reached a perfect stage, it has improved very significantly under their leadership.
Working closely together, President Lee and Premier Hau are guiding Taiwan to move toward greater democracy, freedom, stability, and prosperity and better human rights protection in the 1990s.
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