Although officials accompanying President Chen Shui-bian (
The government has responded by saying that criticism of Chen's foreign-policy efforts, especially in the face of diplomatic pressure from China, will confuse people as to whether the real enemy is China or the opposition parties.
"Diplomacy is carried out for the benefit of everyone. Outside the country, [the president] speaks for all the people. It is unthinkable that the opposition parties have not only boycotted Chen's domestic policies, but also ridicule his diplomatic efforts," Secretary-General to the President Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) told the Taipei Times.
"Some opposition figures say that it doesn't matter how many diplomatic allies Taiwan has, disregarding the support these countries have given Taiwan in the international community," Wu said.
"Now they are spouting the same kind of logic as the Beijing government. This means that, on the diplomatic battlefield, it is uncertain whether the enemy is across the Strait or in Taiwan."
PFP Chairman James Soong (
While visiting Slave Island in Senegal, the president responded by saying he couldn't understand Soong's comment about "the back of beyond."
Presidential staffers added that many of the technical and agricultural teams that are stationed in Africa were placed there by the former KMT government.
Meanwhile, Chen His-hu (陳西虎), who has been stationed in Senegal for the past 30 years and is looked upon as a father figure, was held up as an example of Taiwan's commitment to its allies.
Then there is Chen Chih-fu (陳志福), head of the medical team in Sao Tome and Principe, who has been away from home 11 years. Originally, when stationed in Bukino Faso, he established a hospital, then supervised the transfer of materials to Senegal after the break in diplomatic relations. In 1997, he set up a medical team in Sao Tome and Principe. His eldest son, 7, has stayed with him during his work in Africa.
"The work of these people has established Taiwan's diplomatic foundation. This foundation is like a tree trunk, and breaks in diplomatic relations are merely the breaking of branches, which can grow again," Chen Chih-fu said. "When ties are resumed, we will return, and things can carry on immediately."
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday thanked Palau for its continued support of Taiwan's international participation, as Taipei was once again excluded from the World Health Assembly (WHA) currently taking place in Switzerland. "Palau has never stopped voicing support for Taiwan" in the UN General Assembly, the WHO and other UN-affiliated agencies, Lai said during a bilateral meeting with visiting Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. "We have been profoundly touched by these endorsements," Lai said, praising the Pacific island nation's firm support as "courageous." Lai's remarks came as Taiwan was excluded for the ninth consecutive year from the WHA, which is being held in
RESOLUTIONS DEBATE: Taiwan’s allies said that UN and WHA resolutions cited by China and other nations ‘do not determine Taiwan’s participation in WHO activities’ A proposal to invite Taiwan to this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA) was rejected on Monday, resulting in Taipei’s absence from the annual meeting for a ninth consecutive year, although partners spoke up for Taiwan’s participation at the first day of the meeting. The first agenda item after the opening was a “two-on-two debate” on a proposal to invite Taiwan to participate at the WHA as an observer. Similar to previous years, two countries made statements in favor of the proposal, while two others expressed their opposition. Philippine Secretary of Health Teodoro Herbosa, president of the 78th WHA, accepted the WHA General Committee’s
At least three people died and more than a dozen were injured yesterday afternoon when a vehicle struck a group of pedestrians in New Taipei City’s Sansia District (三峽). The incident happened at about 4pm when a car rammed into pedestrians at an intersection near Bei Da Elementary School. Witnesses said the sedan, being driven at a high speed, ran a red light, knocking scooters out of the way and hitting students crossing the road before careening into a median near the intersection of Guocheng and Guoguang streets. The incident resulted in three deaths and 13 injuries, including the driver, a 78-year-old man
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