Taiwan National Day

Floor Speech

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Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, Monday, October 10 is Taiwan's National Day--also known as Double Ten Day. I would like to take this opportunity to offer my early best wishes to the people of Taiwan.

The United States and Taiwan enjoy a longstanding friendship based on shared values. I visited Taiwan earlier this year to witness the democratic process and the peaceful transfer of power. I applaud Taiwan's embrace of individual political freedom.

Taiwan is also a strong economic partner. In 2015, Taiwan became the United States' 9th largest trading partner, and is my home state of Arkansas' 6th largest export market in Asia. Our economic ties help us to foster our relationship with Taiwan, and ensure an atmosphere of cooperation.

Additionally, the 39th Triennial Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) will take place in Montreal, Canada, beginning on September 27, 2016. Three years ago, the U.S. Congress passed a bill, later signed into law, supporting Taiwan's inclusion in the ICAO as an observer state. Taiwan was first invited to the assembly in 2013, and I am happy to see that Taiwan will be invited again this year. The Taipei Flight Information Region (FIR), administered by Taiwan, provided over 1.53 million instances of air traffic control services. FIR also handled 58 million incoming and outgoing passengers in 2015, serving as an indispensable part of the global air transport network.

Again, I wish the people of Taiwan a happy Double Ten Day. I would like to congratulate Taiwan on the occasion of Double Ten Day, and I hope the friendship between our two nations continues to grow in the years ahead.

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