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One must bend over to move forward: Chen

President Chen Shui-bian, front left, yesterday holds a bushel of rice seedlings in the Solomon Islands while inspecting the country's rice-cultivation techniques. PHOTO: CNA

Ahead of his return to Taipei tonight from his five-day overseas visit to the South Pacific, President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday talked with the press about his thoughts on his trip.

During a two-hour gathering with the Taiwanese press in the Solomon Islands yesterday afternoon, the president said the journey to the two scenic nations of Palau and the Solomon Islands has strengthened his determination to promote balanced and sustainable development in Taiwan.

Prior to the gathering with the Taiwanese press yesterday afternoon, the president made a visit to Taiwan's agricultural technical mission in King George during his second day in the Solomon Islands.

Referring to bending down when tending to the rice crops as well as snorkeling -- something he did for the first time in Palau on Saturday -- the president said the two activities would encourage his government to remain humble.

"The head-down position is needed when one goes snorkeling, and the bending down position is needed when toiling in the fields. A lowered head allows us to see the beautiful underwater scenery, while bending down allows us to harvest," Chen said.

"This is the philosophy I'd like my government to follow -- rule through modesty and humbleness," he added.

During a visit to Palau before coming to the Solomon Islands, Chen said he gained inspiration from seeing trees growing on barren rocks on a small islet of the Palau archipelago.

"Since trees can sprout out of hard and rugged rocks, I believe that with goodwill, sincerity, patience and wise new thinking, we will be able to open Beijing's doors no matter how recalcitrant the Chinese leaders are," Chen said.

Although both Palau and the Solomon Islands are small nations, they nonetheless have attached great importance in protecting their natural environment and marine resources. Chen took this point to stress the importance of substantial development.

"What the 23 million people in Taiwan care about is not which political party governs, but how sustainable our development is," Chen said.

The Solomon Islands is the final leg of Chen's official visit to Taiwan's diplomatic allies in the South Pacific region.

Chen will address the country's parliament today before returning to Taipei tonight after a five-hour stopover in the US territory of Guam.
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