Taiwan Quick Take: Chen to meet with allies

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday said it was planning the itinerary for President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) upcoming visit to the South Pacific Islands for a summit with heads of Taiwan's diplomatic allies in the region. Chen is expected to visit Nauru, which switched diplomatic allegiance to Beijing in 2002, but re-established ties with Taiwan in May last year. Ministry spokesman Michel Lu (呂慶龍) said the ministry was planning Chen's trip in conjunction with bilateral exchange projects, including the introduction of laborers from the South Pacific.