Chen scheduled to hold summits with allies later this year

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) is scheduled to visit Central America and the South Pacific in the latter half of this year, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman David Wang (王建業) said yesterday.

Wang made the remarks while reporting on the ministry's major projects for the rest of this year.

He said the summit had been tentatively scheduled for August or September and would be held in one of the Central American countries with which Taiwan has diplomatic ties.

In mid-September, Taiwan will host a summit meeting between Chen and the heads of state of Taiwan's African diplomatic allies, Wang said, adding that Minister of Foreign Affairs James Huang (黃志芳) would extend invitations to the African leaders when he attends the National Day celebrations of Malawi and Sao Tome and Principe in July.