Chen visits milk factory
President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) reiterated his commitment to take good care of the country's farmers and fishermen yesterday in the agricultural enclave of Miaoli County. Visiting a milk factory run by the Association of Farmers in Miaoli, the president said there is no question about his administration's determination to raise the living standards of farmers and fishermen. Chen reminded workers that his administration has promised to set up a NT$100 billion fund to help farmers remain competitive in the face of the nation's entry into the WTO. Under the rules, Taiwan will have to open further to foreign imports of agricultural products. Dairy farmers will be among those who bear the brunt of the market opening, but the president said they can rest assured that the government will help them to hold their own in the face of foreign competition by improving technology and marketing.
■ Diplomacy
China defends missiles
China's missile deployment targeting Taiwan is an issue of national security that deserves US understanding and support, China's ambassador to the US said on Tuesday. In a speech on Sino-US relations at the Asia Society in New York, Ambassador Yang Jiechi (楊潔篪) said Taiwan's authorities had been "most provocative" in trying to spark a confrontation with China. "It is their actions that are actually causing instability," Yang said. "I think it is something that has to be contained, not only by China, but all peace-loving people in the world." An estimated 400 missiles are deployed along China's southeastern coast targeting Taiwan. Yang said China's "necessary defense moves" were in the interest of the whole nation.
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