Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) yesterday upbraided the US-based Boeing company for its crude manner in turning down her request to visit a company office.
The Presidential Office defended the vice president saying that Boeing's treatment of Lu was completely "unacceptable" and "unbelievable."
Presidential Office spokesman James Huang (
"This year the company bowed to pressure from China and refused to accept the vice president's visit. The Presidential Office is displeased with Boeing and many Taiwanese may change their way of thinking about the company."
Lu's trip was arranged so she could visit countries Taiwan shares diplomatic ties with in South America, and she arrived in Seattle, Washington two days ago.
She originally had planned to visit Microsoft Corporation and Boeing's office in Seattle, but Boeing stated that they would not receive her. Consequently she criticized Boeing in public two days ago during a dinner party with the Chinese community in Seattle.
"I can deal with Boeing's rejection, but would they dare make a public announcement and give up the contract they signed with China Airlines last year?" Lu asked.
"Shame on Boeing! Rejecting me is rejecting the Republic of China and Taiwan. We need to guard our dignity and express our anger and give Boeing a warning."
"Originally the US government was quite happy to see Taiwan arrange this visit, but we did not realize that China would not only apply pressure on governments but also on private enterprises," Lu said.
Lu also said that she had protested to the US government, and even if Boeing issued an invitation to her, she would not go again. She called President Chen Shui-bian (
"When I visited the US this time, there are at least 100 corporations that have welcomed me as the representative of the Republic of China. But Boeing bowed to pressure from China, and bullied a US ally, Taiwan," Lu said.
"Boeing is making trouble for itself. It is no big deal that I did receive a welcome by Boeing. Tomorrow I am meeting with representatives from 13 multinational corporations, fortifying their cooperation with Taiwan."
Lu stressed that she did not mean to praise Taiwan, but were it not for Taiwan's strong opposition against China, there would have been more than four communist countries in Asia, and the fourteen South-American countries Taiwan shared diplomatic ties would be allies of China.
"We have to deliver this message today," Lu said.
During her first day in Seattle, Lu met with Washington State's Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, Washington State's Attorney General Christine Gregoire, and visit Microsoft.
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