President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) made another diplomatic breakthrough when he was interviewed by the American media during a sightseeing excursion in Alaska.
On the last day of his overseas trip, Chen took some time out of his busy schedule to go on a train journey looking at glaciers.
He was accompanied by Alaskan Governor Frank Murkowski and America Institute in Taiwan chairwoman Therese Shaheen.
Chen was interviewed on the train by Associated Press, a local TV station cooperating with NBC and Alaska Public Radio.
"I have already fallen in love with Alaska, but I have to go home. However, I would like to come back when circumstances allow it," Chen said in one interview.
He said that he would like bring his wife along the next time he visits Alaska.
Murkowski expressed his best wishes for Chen's campaign to be elected for a second term.
Following the morning's train trip, Chen attended a luncheon held by Murkowski, and in the afternoon did some more sightseeing from an Alaskan mountaintop.
But the president did not forget his real business. After his sightseeing tour he returned to his hotel to attend an event hosted by the American Friends of A-bian Club and talked to about 100 supporters from different parts of North America.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Eugene Chien (
"The relationship between Taiwan, the US and China is not a win-or-lose game. It boils down to a win-win situation for the US: on the one hand China is saying that its relations with the US are the best in 30 years, and on the other hand Taiwan-US relations are the best they've been in 20 years," Chien said.
He was expected back in Taiwan last night.
Chen also made several diplomatic breakthroughs during his stopover in New York.
He arrived in Panama on Sunday to attend the country's centennial celebrations, where he met US Secretary of State Colin Powell for a short exchange. Chen arrived in Alaska on Tuesday, where he was warmly received by Murkowski.
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