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“COMMEMORATING THE NATIONAL DAY OF THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Commerce was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1317 on Sept. 20, 2016.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
COMMEMORATING THE NATIONAL DAY OF THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA
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HON. DAVE BRAT
of virginia
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Mr. BRAT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan) this upcoming October 10th, 2016. This day commemorates the beginning of the end of China's Qing Dynasty and the subsequent establishment of the Republic of China.
In 1979, the U.S. Congress passed the Taiwan Relations Act, which was signed into law one month after being introduced. Today the TRA is the cornerstone of the robust relationship between the people of the United States and the people of Taiwan.
Taiwan is a good friend to the United States. Our shared values include respect for market institutions, democracy, free elections, and human rights. Taiwan is also an important strategic partner, promoting peace and stability in the region. Our economic relationship continues to grow, with benefits for both countries. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. trade in goods with Taiwan reached $66 billion last year. Impressive for a population of only 23 million people, Taiwan has become America's ninth largest trading partner. Taiwan is also the ninth largest export market for the Commonwealth of Virginia, and its fourth largest export market in Asia.
In addition, the 39th Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) will take place soon in Montreal, Canada, beginning on September 27, 2016. Congress passed a law in 2013 calling for Taiwan's participation in the triennial ICAO assembly as an observer. With wide international support, Taiwan was invited to attend the 38th ICAO Assembly in 2013. Considering the Taipei Flight Information Region
(FIR), which is administered by Taiwan and provides over 1.53 million instances of air traffic control services, handles 58 million incoming and outgoing passengers in 2015, and serves as an indispensable part of the global air transport network, I hope to see that Taiwan will be invited to observe again this year.
I wish the people of Taiwan a Happy Double Ten Day. I look forward to further strengthening this important relationship in the years to come.
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