President Chen Shui-bian (
Chen and Tong inked the document at the Presidential Office, with the two heads of state promising to settle regional and international disputes through peaceful means such as dialogue and negotiations in line with principles of equality and fairness.
Chen and Tong also vowed to enhance and upgrade bilateral cooperative ventures based on their current cordial relations.
Praising Taiwan's development on the economic, political and social fronts, Tong thanked Chen for the warm reception that the government and its people extended to him and invited Chen to visit his South Pacific nation.
Tong also wished Chen success in his re-election bid and expressed his hope that he could visit Taiwan again to take part in Chen's inauguration in May.
Tong left for Kiribati later yesterday.
Prior to his departure, he was accorded a farewell ceremony at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall.
On Thursday, Tong and his entourage were treated to a state banquet featuring Hakka food at a resort villa in Hsinchu County.
Tong and his wife arrived in Taiwan on Monday for a five-day visit. It was Tong's first visit to Taiwan after he assumed the presidency in July 2003.
While here, Chen and Tong discussed and exchanged views on issues of mutual concern and international affairs.
The two countries set up diplomatic ties in November last year, making Kiribati the 27th nation to recognize Taiwan.
The brilliant blue waters, thick foliage and bucolic atmosphere on this seemingly idyllic archipelago deep in the Pacific Ocean belie the key role it now plays in a titanic geopolitical struggle. Palau is again on the front line as China, and the US and its allies prepare their forces in an intensifying contest for control over the Asia-Pacific region. The democratic nation of just 17,000 people hosts US-controlled airstrips and soon-to-be-completed radar installations that the US military describes as “critical” to monitoring vast swathes of water and airspace. It is also a key piece of the second island chain, a string of
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