President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday expressed appreciation for remarks by US President George W. Bush praising Taiwan's democratic development, saying that they meant a lot to Taiwan, a country that stresses the values of democracy, freedom and human rights.
Bush hailed Taiwan's move "from repression to democracy" in a keynote speech in Japan at the start of his trip to Asia yesterday.
Chen said that Taiwan looks forward to seeing China rise in a peaceful way and would like to assist its democratic development.
The Presidential Office said Taiwan agrees with the US about the necessity for cross-strait dialogue and the adoption of peaceful means to solve problems.
In Busan, South Korea, Minister of Economic Affairs Ho Mei-yueh (
"I think Taiwanese people will be very happy to hear the compliment," Ho told a press conference after concluding an APEC ministerial meeting yesterday.
Ho also brushed off concerns that Bush's comments would impede recent improvements in cross-strait relations, saying Taiwan was well-known for achieving democracy without dampening economic development.
Earlier in the day, Chen urged Lin Hsin-yi (
The meeting will be held tomorrow and Saturday in Busan, South Korea. Lin, the convener of the president's economic advisory group and a former minister of economic affairs, was hastily designated by the president as his envoy last week, after Chen's original proposal to send Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (
Chen said that Taiwan is one of the forum's 21 member economies and its leader's envoy should not be discriminated against.
"If the Taiwanese leader's envoy is treated unfairly, all representatives in Taiwan's delegation should respond seriously as soon as possible to defend not only Taiwan's dignity but also the interests of the Taiwanese people," Chen said.
Chen said the delegation would eventually win respect from the world because the nation has been firmly promoting regional peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region even though China persists in throwing obstacles in its way.
"Taiwan should focus on seizing opportunities to interact with major countries such as the US, Japan and host country South Korea, to highlight the existence of Taiwan," Chen said.
According to Chen, the US has suggested twice this year that Taiwan donate to the Cooperation Fund for the Regional Trade and Financial Security Initiative. Chen said the nation would like to become the fourth contributor to the fund, following the US, Japan, and Australia, with a planned donation of US$500,000.
The fund was set up by the Asian Development Bank in July last year to counter money laundering and the financing of terrorism, with operations to span three years initially.
In addition, Chen said Taiwan's initiation last year of research and development programs and the production of vaccines had been recognized by other members.
Additional reporting by Jessie Ho, in Busan, South Korea
ROLLER-COASTER RIDE: More than five earthquakes ranging from magnitude 4.4 to 5.5 on the Richter scale shook eastern Taiwan in rapid succession yesterday afternoon Back-to-back weather fronts are forecast to hit Taiwan this week, resulting in rain across the nation in the coming days, the Central Weather Administration said yesterday, as it also warned residents in mountainous regions to be wary of landslides and rockfalls. As the first front approached, sporadic rainfall began in central and northern parts of Taiwan yesterday, the agency said, adding that rain is forecast to intensify in those regions today, while brief showers would also affect other parts of the nation. A second weather system is forecast to arrive on Thursday, bringing additional rain to the whole nation until Sunday, it
LANDSLIDES POSSIBLE: The agency advised the public to avoid visiting mountainous regions due to more expected aftershocks and rainfall from a series of weather fronts A series of earthquakes over the past few days were likely aftershocks of the April 3 earthquake in Hualien County, with further aftershocks to be expected for up to a year, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday. Based on the nation’s experience after the quake on Sept. 21, 1999, more aftershocks are possible over the next six months to a year, the agency said. A total of 103 earthquakes of magnitude 4 on the local magnitude scale or higher hit Hualien County from 5:08pm on Monday to 10:27am yesterday, with 27 of them exceeding magnitude 5. They included two, of magnitude
CONDITIONAL: The PRC imposes secret requirements that the funding it provides cannot be spent in states with diplomatic relations with Taiwan, Emma Reilly said China has been bribing UN officials to obtain “special benefits” and to block funding from countries that have diplomatic ties with Taiwan, a former UN employee told the British House of Commons on Tuesday. At a House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee hearing into “international relations within the multilateral system,” former Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) employee Emma Reilly said in a written statement that “Beijing paid bribes to the two successive Presidents of the [UN] General Assembly” during the two-year negotiation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Another way China exercises influence within the UN Secretariat is
Taiwan’s first drag queen to compete on the internationally acclaimed RuPaul’s Drag Race, Nymphia Wind (妮妃雅), was on Friday crowned the “Next Drag Superstar.” Dressed in a sparkling banana dress, Nymphia Wind swept onto the stage for the final, and stole the show. “Taiwan this is for you,” she said right after show host RuPaul announced her as the winner. “To those who feel like they don’t belong, just remember to live fearlessly and to live their truth,” she said on stage. One of the frontrunners for the past 15 episodes, the 28-year-old breezed through to the final after weeks of showcasing her unique