President Chen Shui-bian (
"I hope both sides of the Strait enhance interactions in all fields on the principles of reconciliation, cooperation and peace to seek economic and trade integration and then political integration," Chen said. He spoke while attending a ceremony for the 60th anniversary of the Voice of the Han Broadcasting Network, which is affiliated with the Ministry of National Defense.
Chen, speaking from the network's studio, identified himself as the president and then said he would continue to conduct himself with the most humble attitude and with the determination to lead Taiwan in building a better future. That future, the president said, would allow every person in the land enjoy happiness, hope and human rights.
As far as cross-strait ties are concerned, Chen again sought to reach across the political divide that has separated Taipei and Beijing for more than fifty years.
"And more importantly, we hope that there will be more economy and less politics, more contact and less misunderstanding, more trust and less suppression. We want to be able to put aside controversial political issues and start to create economic and cultural integration to lay the groundwork for mutual trust and interactions," Chen said.
Chen reiterated that the leaders on both sides are responsible for protecting the welfare of the people and therefore, should conquer these difficulties and challenges.
Earlier this year, Chen addressed the Chinese people through Taiwan's Central Broadcasting System, the nation's first president ever to do so. Officials say the broadcast received quite a positive reaction.
"Many people from China wrote in to tell us that they admired President Chen's sincerity," said an official with the minister of national defense's office. "We believe that for this reason, the People's Liberation Army jammed the signal of President Chen's radio address yesterday, making it inaudible in Beijing."
A tropical depression in waters east of the Philippines could develop into a tropical storm as soon as today and bring rainfall as it approaches, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday, while issuing heat warnings for 14 cities and counties. Weather model simulations show that there are still considerable differences in the path that the tropical depression is projected to take. It might pass through the Bashi Channel to the South China Sea or turn northeast and move toward the sea south of Japan, CWA forecaster Yeh Chih-chun (葉致均) said, adding that the uncertainty of its movement is still high,
TAIWANESE INNOVATION: The ‘Seawool’ fabric generates about NT$200m a year, with the bulk of it sourced by clothing brands operating in Europe and the US Growing up on Taiwan’s west coast where mollusk farming is popular, Eddie Wang saw discarded oyster shells transformed from waste to function — a memory that inspired him to create a unique and environmentally friendly fabric called “Seawool.” Wang remembered that residents of his seaside hometown of Yunlin County used discarded oyster shells that littered the streets during the harvest as insulation for their homes. “They burned the shells and painted the residue on the walls. The houses then became warm in the winter and cool in the summer,” the 42-year-old said at his factory in Tainan. “So I was
THE TOUR: Pope Francis has gone on a 12-day visit to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore. He was also invited to Taiwan The government yesterday welcomed Pope Francis to the Asia-Pacific region and said it would continue extending an invitation for him to visit Taiwan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs made the remarks as Pope Francis began a 12-day tour of the Asia-Pacific on Monday. He is to travel about 33,000km by air to visit Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore, and would arrive back in Rome on Friday next week. It would be the longest and most challenging trip of Francis’ 11-year papacy. The 87-year-old has had health issues over the past few years and now uses a wheelchair. The ministry said
Discounted 72-hour Taipei Metro passes are to be offered to China Airlines passengers until Feb. 28 next year, the airline announced today. China Airlines passengers may present their boarding pass for a discount of up to 34 percent when buying a Taipei Metro 72-hour unlimited travel pass. The offer is available to international travelers on international flights bound for Taipei. Within seven days of arrival, travelers can present their boarding pass, passport and proof of flight payment at an EZfly counter in Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport or Taoyuan MRT Taipei Main Station to obtain the discounted passes, the airline said. One 72-hour pass
RSS