South Taiwan hosts first foreign dignitary

Trying to breath some life into the reception of foreign guests, the Presidential Office for the first time yesterday held a welcoming banquet in southern Taiwan for the visiting president of Burkina Faso.

President Chen Shui-bian yesterday (陳水扁) welcomed Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaore with a Naval performance in Kaohsiung City, which is the biggest harbor in southern Taiwan.

"The manner with which we greet our allies abides by international standards," said Presidential Office spokeswoman Kao Yao-chi (郭瑤琪), "and the only change is to hope our foreign friends have the chance to enjoy more of Taiwan's beautiful scenery and delicious food."

The Burkina Faso president was accorded full military honors, including a 21-gun salute, in the ceremony held at the Tsoying naval base near the port city of Kaohsiung.

Over fifty warships marshaled in the port accepted the two presidents' inspection and the Marines showed off their combat skills in front of the guests.

It is the first time that Taiwan has held a welcoming ceremony and state banquet for a visiting foreign head of state in southern Taiwan.

Kao said the arrangements were aimed at signifying the government's determination to promote balanced development in the southern and northern parts of the island.

During a meeting with Compaore at the Presidential Office in Taipei yesterday morning, Chen said he is hopeful that the unprecedented arrangements will enable Compaore to get a taste of southern Taiwan residents' "passion."

"I also hope that you can take advantage of the occasion to see for yourself the latest developments and general social customs and climate in southern Taiwan," Chen told his guest.

The plan of welcoming foreign heads' visits in different places was criticized by opposition lawmakers as "showing off" and being improper.

"The welcoming of a head of state should be in accordance with particular procedures," said KMT lawmaker Ting Shou-chung (丁守中). "This time, the Presidential Office mobilized almost two-thirds of Taiwan's naval military strength just to perform in the ceremony. We think that this is improper."

Presidential Office spokeswoman Kuo, however, stressed that official courtesy does not dictate that a state welcoming ceremony should be held in a particular place.

"And we believe that all the procedures conform to international standards," he added.

Kuo revealed that the next state ceremony to welcome the President of Dominica will be held in Yilan, in north-eastern Taiwan. After Ilan, Taichung County will be next.