Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Chiu Jung-nan (
Li Yuan-chuam (
Li will begin work on the project today at the square in front of the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, where the giant piece of wood, weighing approximately two tonnes, sits.
Chiu rang a bell during the ceremony to convey a message of peace.
"We seek world peace. Any act that disturbs world peace, such as terrorist acts and China's missile threat to Taiwan, will be condemned by the international community," Chiu said.
Yesterday's ceremony also served as a prelude for an event entitled Festival of Peace for Dismantling All Missiles.
The festival, part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' campaign to protest against China's deployment of hundreds of missiles along its southeastern coast, is to be held today at the square in front of the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall at 5pm.
The festival is co-sponsored by the Taiwan Junior Chamber and is supported by more than 100 civic organizations.
President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) is scheduled to appear at the event, according to the event's organizer.
Chiu appealed for a strong turnout at the event.
"I would like to hereby call on all who care about Taiwan, regardless of age, political party affiliation and ethnic differences, to come out and join us in our call for the dismantling of all of China's missiles aimed at us," Chiu said.
"Let our united action show that we want peace, not fear," he added.
Aside from the event in Taipei today, two other anti-missile gatherings will be held, one in Taichung on Nov. 2 and the other in Kaohsiung on Nov. 9.
DPP Legislator Parris Chang voiced concern on Wednesday after he learned from Washington that the US was to reiterate its position on the Taiwan issue. US President George W. Bush was expected to declare that the US does not support Taiwan independence in a meeting yesterday with Chinese President Jiang Zemin (江澤民).
RSS