U.S. Dept. of State - IIP: The United States and China

Text: Congressman Congratulates Taiwan's Vice President on Prize
(Leach praises Lu for her commitment to democracy)

Representative James A. Leach (Republican of Iowa) November 28 congratulated Taiwan's Vice President Annette Lu on her being awarded the 2001 World Peace Prize. In his extension of remarks entered into the Congressional Record, Leach noted that "while Ms. Lu has taken a controversial position on Taiwan independence, one which from a U.S. perspective is beyond the contemplation of the three communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act that underpin U.S.-China relations, the heroic commitment she has made to the democratic evolution on Taiwan deserves the commendation of the world community."

Ms. Lu is the highest-ranking woman to be elected to office in 5,000 years of Chinese history; she is also the first woman to receive the World Peace Prize.

WORLD PEACE PRIZE AWARD FOR 2001 -- HON. JAMES A. LEACH (Extensions of Remarks - November 28, 2001)
[Page: E2154] ---

HON. JAMES A. LEACH OF IOWA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Wednesday, November 28, 2001

-- Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, today the World Peace Prize Awarding Council will award its highest honor, the World Peace Prize, to the Vice President of Taiwan, Annette Lu. The Vice President will be the first woman to receive the award.

-- Ms. Lu has had a distinguished career in public service, and has been concerned in particular to promote democracy and open, accountable government in Taiwan and to further women's rights. In 1979, when Taiwan still had an authoritarian government, she made a brief speech on human rights during a public demonstration later known as the Kaohsiung Incident. Along with many other opposition figures, she was sent to prison for 12 years. After five years in prison she was released to undergo medical treatment, and promptly resumed her campaign for progressive political change on Taiwan. By the early 1990s, Taiwan had largely completed its successful transition to democratic governance. Ms. Lu entered politics in 1993 and became Vice President in March 2000 -- the highest-ranking woman to be elected to office in 5,000 years of Chinese history.

-- While Ms. Lu has taken a controversial position on Taiwan independence, one which from a U.S. perspective is beyond the contemplation of the three communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act that underpin U.S.-China relations, the heroic commitment she has made to the democratic evolution on Taiwan deserves the commendation of the world community. We honor Vice President Lu for her commitment to democracy and congratulate her for receiving the World Peace Prize.

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)