Chen says he still loves his wife

"With her [Wu Shu-chen's] perseverance and optimism, she has never been beaten. She is the most powerful and reliable person to me and my two children."

Chen Shui-bian, president

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) expressed his love to his beloved wife on Chinese Valentine's Day yesterday, saying she is the most precious treasure in his life.

"If life is like a jewelry box, A-chen [the nickname of his wife Wu Shu-chen (吳淑珍)] is the most precious treasure in A-bian's life," said Chen, in a weekly e-letter which was released yesterday, coinciding with Chinese Valentine's Day.

The president said that Wu's physical condition has steadily deteriorated since a car hit her 17 years ago.

Her immune system has weakened and she needs daily physical therapy to prevent her muscles from atrophying.

"After our daughter got married, our son began serving in the army, and I became preoccupied with national affairs, I can fully understand her sense of loss and loneliness. I would do anything to please her," Chen stated. Wu has been confined to a wheelchair after a car struck her in 1974 and paralyzed her from the chest down.

But in Chen's mind, Wu has never been knocked down.

"With her perseverance and optimism, she has never been beaten. She is the most powerful and reliable person to me and my two children," he said.

The president sent his best wishes to all couples in the world by saying that he hoped that "they would eventually find their way to marriage."

In related news, seven couples joined the DPP at a ceremony held yesterday evening at Pitan, Taipei County -- a popular dating spot. The ceremony was presided over by Chen, who is also the party chairman.

Chen's wife was unable to attend the event because she is recovering from a digestive illness.

But the party's secretary-general Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄), DPP candidate for the Taipei mayor Lee Ying-yuan (李應元) and Taipei County magistrate Su Chen-chang (蘇貞昌) attended the gathering with their wives.

Sending their best wishes to all lovers, DPP officials said that by holding such an event, they hoped to add a bit of levity and compassion to the political environment.

Some of the couples are married, and some are not. Some of them met through DPP events, and some of them were colleagues in DPP offices.

The is the second time a large group has entered the party since Chen became chairman on July 21.