Concluding his 10-day state visit to Africa, President Chen Shui-bian (
Chen was on an official tour to four of the the country's diplomatic allies: Senegal, Sao Tome and Principe, Malawi and Swaziland.
He returns today from the trip, for which he departed on July 1.
Right before his departure from Swaziland on Monday, the president sat down for an informal chat with reporters about his discussions with his African counterparts.
Chen said that the talks were dominated by the topics of cross-strait relations and how to lobby for Taiwan's participation in the international community.
Chen said Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade, for example, has been asked by many people why Senegal has not switched its diplomatic ties to China.
"He gave me his analysis on what both Taiwan and China could offer to his country," Chen said.
"He said that China could only build Senegal stadiums, a presidential office or a `Great Hall of the People' for Senegal," Chen said.
"But he told me what Taiwan offers to Senegal are not physical things, but rather wisdom, which meets people's needs as if we are teaching them how to fish, rather than giving them fish," Chen said.
In Sao Tome and Principe, Chen said that the nation's president, Fradique de Menezes, said that Sao Tome and Principe will continue to assist Taiwan in its efforts to join international organizations such as the UN, the WTO and the WHO.
"But he couldn't understand why Taiwan is sometimes named the `ROC', sometimes `Taiwan' or even sometimes is called `Taiwan, Penghu, Kimen and Matsu.' He couldn't distinguish the difference," Chen said.
Taiwan joined the WTO under the name of "Custom Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu" and is bidding for participation in the WHO as "Health Entity of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu."
As for his meetings with Malawi President Bakili Muluzi, Chen praised the leader as one of Taiwan's best spokespeople.
"President Muluzi understands the Hong Kong situation very well. He said, given that China's territory is already so huge, it's unthinkable that China is still aiming to swallow Taiwan after having taken over Hong Kong and Macau. He is very supportive and sympathetic," Chen said.
According to Chen, Muluzi encouraged Taiwan to stand firm on its principles.
Chen also referred to King of Swaziland, Mswati the Third, as a born supporter of the ROC.
"The King told me that it's his fate to be a supporter of the ROC, because he has to follow the will of his father, who was a faithful friend of Taiwan in his life.
"So, the King has known about the existence of Taiwan since his childhood," Chen said.
Swaziland has had diplomatic ties with Taiwan since 1968.
Chen's delegation is scheduled to arrive at CKS International Airport at 11am today.
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