The 23 million Taiwanese who live in Taiwan, an island country independently self-governed for 60 years now, are a model for other Asian countries to follow, having transitioned from dictatorship into democracy in 1996 without bloodshed, when it voted for its first presidential election. It is a leader and partner to the United States, providing assistance to other countries with humanitarian aid and rescue teams during disasters. It is also a strategic partner in the Pacific, and important ally in helping to contain China. It's time the 23 million people of Taiwan be represented in the United Nations (Taiwan is the only country not represented in the UN), and that can only happen if the United States extends formal recognition to the country, so other countries will follow suit.