Concluding his 11-day trip abroad, Premier Yu Shyi-kun yesterday said it had been successful in bolstering cultural exchange, trade and economic cooperation between Taiwan and its allies.
Yu was on an official tour of four of the country's diplomatic allies -- Haiti, Panama, Costa Rica and Belize -- leading a 60-person delegation that included government officials, business and cultural leaders and the media.
PHOTO: TONY K. YO, TAIPEI TIMES
Stating his gratitude for the friendly faces he met throughout the trip, Yu commented that the visit had been fruitful in solidifying diplomatic ties between Taiwan and its allies.
"I restated to these allies our sincerity and determination to be a member of the global community," Yu said at a press conference at CKS International Airport, which was held upon his return last night.
One of purposes of the trip was to highlight the fact of Taiwan's existence to the international community, Yu said, adding that Taiwan should continue to follow President Chen Shui-bian's (
"The Republic of China is under a pressure, which gives it no choice but to step out [into the world]," the premier said. "If we don't step out, we will still be sitting, waiting for death."
Citing China's growing aggression in oppressing Taiwan's participation in the international community, Yu stressed that Taiwan cannot rely on anyone but itself to prove its existence.
Before returning to Taiwan, the delegation made a one-day stopover in Los Angeles, during which Yu met with several US Representatives including Grace Napolitano, Brad Sherman and Gary Miller.
When asked by Napolitano for his view on China's consistent bashing of the US in media reports, Yu said he wasn't surprised.
"China is two-faced," Yu said. "On the one hand, China wants the US to help it boost its economy, yet on the other hand, it doesn't regard the US as a friend."
Noting China's beefed-up military power as a potential risk to regional security, Yu called on the US to take the threat seriously and keep an eye on the situation to ensure regional security in Asia.
During Yu's brief stopover, he also met with overseas Chinese as well as former premier Tang Fei (唐飛), who was in the Los Angeles visiting his seven grandchildren.
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