President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) said yesterday that Taiwan must forge a strong national identity so that Taiwan can present a united front when facing challenges from abroad.
In the face of increasing globalization, Chen said, the people of Taiwan must not only embrace the world's pluralistic cultures and values but should also strengthen their identification with Taiwan and their concern for Taiwan in order to fortify internal unity to cope with future challenges.
Chen made the remarks while meeting with John Edmund Haggai, founder of the Haggai Institute, a US-based Christian organization that trains evangelists and management personnel for business corporations.
Chen welcomed Haggai's lecture tour, saying that his speeches on Christian gospel and the art of leadership in the new century "have enriched the minds of the people of Taiwan and helped boost mutual feelings."
He also lauded Haggai for his invention of a new style for preaching the gospel that places equal emphasis on how to spread religious faith and on the cultivation of local evangelists.
"I admire your achievements in combining religious preaching with local cultures and customs through which religious faith has become part of everyday life and brought about profound influence on local society," Chen told Haggai.
Chen said Haggai's strategy bears witness to the adage "think globally, act locally."
For his part, Haggai said he has admired Chinese culture since his childhood and that the Haggai Institute has close ties with Chinese people. "All of the leading figures of the institute's Southeast Asian branches are ethnic Chinese," he said.
Earlier in the day, Haggai paid a visit to Vice President Annette Lu (
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