Lu tries to shore up ties

Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) has told Taiwan's allies that China's intention to establish diplomatic relationships with them was not a sincere attempt to assist their development but merely a trick to isolate Taiwan.

"Once those countries severe ties with Taiwan, China will not really carry out its promises to those countries' people," Lu said when interviewed by Paraguayan media on Sunday.

Lu, leading a delegation to Taiwan's only ally in South America, said that Taiwan was sincerely promoting freedom, democracy, human rights, kindness and technological development in the international community.

"The people of Paraguay should not be too optimistic about the value of China's market because its unemployment rate is now rising quickly," Lu told reporters in Paraguay. "And many problems such as disorder in society and divisions between rich and poor people will become more serious now it has entered the WTO."

Though President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) promised to provide more financial assistance to Paraguay when he visited the country in May last year, some Paraguayan congressmen recently suggested its government should strengthen ties with China.

Lu said Taiwan would come up with policies to realize proposals made by Paraguay's leaders for economic cooperation between the two countries.

When asked about whether she wanted to run for president in the future, Lu said that she had not yet finished learning to be vice president and that she had no ambition for any post.

Lu suggested that the women of Paraguay should take more interest in politics, such as running for election or organizing groups to lobby the government.

Meanwhile, Paraguayan Foreign Minister Jose Moreno said that relations between Asuncion and Taipei remained close.

Lu arrived in Asuncion on Friday morning for a three-day official visit after attending the inauguration ceremony for Nicaraguan President Enrique Bolanos Geyer in Managua on Thursday.

"On behalf of the government of Paraguay," Moreno said after Lu's arrival, "I wish to extend my heartfelt welcome to Vice President Annette Lu."

Moreno said the government of Paraguay had always been a staunch supporter of Taiwan.

"These friendly relations between our two countries will continue and improve, and Vice President Lu's visit further cements the ties," Moreno said.

He also confirmed that former Paraguayan foreign minister Diogenes Martinez had recently visited Beijing.

"But," he said, "that will not hurt the relationship between Taipei and Asuncion in any way."