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President Chen lauds David Lee for work on Taiwan-US ties

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday complimented outgoing representative to the US David Lee (李大維) on his efforts to improve Taiwan-US relations, adding that Lee is the best choice for the country's next representative to Canada.

Chen made the remarks while receiving a 12-member delegation of Canada's big city mayors at the Presidential Office yesterday morning.

Chen said that he believed Lee would make a good successor to outgoing de facto ambassador to Canada Chen Tong-pi (陳東璧), who will retire.

"Lee has exerted himself over the years to cement relations with the US government and his contribution deserves recognition," he said. "He is an outstanding diplomat and the best choice for the country's representative to Canada."

President Chen acknowledged Chen Tong-pi's contribution over the past six years, particularly his efforts to push for the passage of a "Taiwan Affairs Act." Although the bill was aborted when the Canadian parliament was dissolved, President Chen said he was appreciative of Canadian lawmakers' interest in Taiwanese affairs.

The bill was introduced by the Canadian House of Commons in April 2005 by a Conservative member from British Columbia. It copied several provisions from the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) signed by the US Congress in 1979, but deleted the defense clause that exists in the TRA.
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