Taipei Times: Given the fact that Taiwan's stock market dropped to a record low on the first day of Chen's trip and that the Macedonian government threatened to sever ties with Taiwan, do you feel the president's trip may have harmed public confidence? And what accomplishments do you think Chen achieved by going on the tour?
Su Tzen-ping:It was a very successful trip. President Chen achieved many substantive goals during the state visits. Not only did he cement ties with some of our most valued allies, but he also made an impression on the world.
During the trip, the president participated in the third ROC-Central America summit and signed a joint communique with the leaders of Panama, El Salvador, Belize, Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic.
These nations have vowed to support us in our efforts to join international organizations. And these friends have been very supportive in the past.
Last year, the ROC gained observer status in the System for Integration of Central America, and on this visit the president managed to secure unanimous support for the ROC's bid for full membership.
This is significant, because it would give us an entry into the planned Free Trade Area of the Americas, which will integrate the economies of the Western Hemisphere into a single free trade arrangement, effectively creating the world's largest market.
Even now, our diplomatic alliance with Paraguay provides us access to the South American free-trade pact MERCOSUR, the world's fourth-largest unified market.
We have many allies in Latin America, a region that is rapidly coalescing into an economic power base. As the countries in the region band together and their economic clout continues to grow, so too will their political influence. This will provide expanded global opportunities for the trade and the economic diplomacy of the ROC.
Also, during our stopovers in New York and Houston, the president had the opportunity to meet with important business leaders. It was their confidence and interest in Taiwan that encouraged the president to set the goals of inviting foreign companies, attracting foreign investment, rejuvenating the economy and creating jobs.
TT: Nevertheless, Taiwan has become the target of criticism, mainly at home, for practicing what some call "dollar diplomacy" in Latin America and Africa. Do you think the criticism is justified, and what is the government's justification for continuing its present policy?
Su:"Dollar diplomacy" is a term that is far more descriptive of Beijing's efforts to entice ROC allies into changing recognition. The truth is, the ROC has a lot in common with our African and Latin American allies. For one thing, we share a historical background of anti-communist rule that has flowered into full-fledged democracy.
Furthermore, as the president pointed out on his visit to El Salvador, Taiwan is very much like that nation in that both countries have limited natural resources, large populations and a small land mass.
For this reason we want to share what we call the "Taiwan experience" recipe for success enjoyed by Taiwan.
That means developing good business and trade relations, and transferring high-tech skills and knowledge. We want to pass these successes on to our allies.
And this philosophy is bearing fruit. There are now over 30 Taiwan-based businesses employing around 15,000 El Salvadorans.
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