Vice President Annette Lu (
Lu, who arrived in LA on Saturday for a three-day transit stop on her way to Asuncion to attend the inauguration of Paraguayan President-elect Nicanor Duarte on behalf of President Chen Shui-bian (
PHOTO: TZOU JIING-WEN
Rohrabacher concurrently serves a co-chairman of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus -- a pro-Taiwan group in the US Congress.
Lu said Taiwan's existence can exert pressure on China to move toward democracy. She urged Chinese leaders to cooperate with Taiwan in pushing for peaceful cross-strait exchanges for the benefit of the people of both sides.
The outspoken vice president also asked Beijing not to block Taiwan's bid to join the World Health Organization (WHO).
"Beijing should instead publicly welcome Taiwan's participation in the WHO to substantiate its claim that it cares about Taiwanese people's health and well-being," Lu said.
She also expressed thanks to Rohrabacher for his staunch support for Taiwan's cause over past years.
Rohrabacher said he personally supports Taiwan's plan to hold a referendum to signify its determination to join the WHO. He said the US government should offer more support to Taiwan and should not sit idly by and let Beijing bully Taiwan's democratically elected government.
The influential Republican congressman from California's Orange County said he plans to come up with an initiative urging the Bush administration to invite Taiwan's president and vice president to deliver speeches in the US.
Later in the day, Lu paid a visit to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in the company of Chen Chien-jen (
Former US first lady Nancy Reagan sent a letter to Lu extending a warm welcome to Lu's visit to the Reagan library and museum.
Nancy Reagan said in her letter that Taiwan contributed much to the inauguration of the Reagan library and museum in 1991. She expressed her heartfelt gratitude for Taiwan's support for the project in recognition of her husband's career achievements. She added that she believes Lu's visit will encourage more Taiwanese people to visit the library and museum.
Taiwan donated funds for construction of the Reagan library and museum which showcases many documents and photos featuring President Reagan's eight years in the White House. Over the past decade, many Taiwanese political heavyweights and celebrities in various fields have visited the library. Among the visitors have been former president Lee Teng-hui (
In the afternoon, Lu met with five members of the California State House of Representatives, including Judy Chu, Mervyn Dymally, Alan Lowenthal and Ronald Calderon. Lu's guests also included California State House of Representatives Speaker Robert Hertzberg. Lu exchanged views with Californian state lawmakers on a range of issues of mutual concern. They also discussed measures to further boost cooperation between Taiwan and California.
Lu will visit Irvine which maintains sisterhood ties with Taiwan's Taoyuan County, of which Lu used to be county commissioner, as well as Broadcom, a California-based high-tech firm.
Lu will leave for Panama for an official visit after having a lunch meeting with the Irvine mayor Tuesday noon.
While in Panama, Lu will meet with senior Panamanian officials to discuss measures for further boosting bilateral cooperation. Panamanian Vice President Dominador Kaiser Bazan Jimenez will honor Lu by awarding her a medal.
In addition to attending the Paraguayan presidential inauguration Aug. 15, Lu will deliver speeches at the Paraguayan parliament and at Asuncion University.
On her way back to Taiwan Aug. 20, Lu is scheduled to make a transit stop in Seattle for two days.
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