President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday urged Academia Sinica President Lee Yuan-Tseh (李遠哲) and other members of Taiwan's delegation to the annual APEC leaders meeting to fully assert themselves at the forum and warned of Chinese interference at the talks.
"APEC is a very important international organization, to which Taiwan belongs," Chen said, "so I urge you to participate vigorously in the talks and raise concrete proposals."
"Only by doing so can you truly raise Taiwan's profile and standing," he said.
Lee, who is Chen's special representative to the Bangkok meeting, said: "The Presidential Office's preparations have been comprehen-sive. I am confident that I will carry out this mission to the best of my ability."
Chen, who was speaking during a reception for the delegation at the Presidential Office last night, urged Lee and the other delegates to be aware of continued pressure from China.
"I believe that in light of continuing Chinese pressure in the international arena, there will be obstacles to face at the APEC meeting in Bangkok," Chen said.
"I hope that the delegation will maintain close contact with Taipei. But I authorize Lee to respond to any interference in the manner he thinks fit," Chen said.
Also yesterday, Chen awarded a medal to David Martin Steel, a member of the UK House of Lords, for his services in promoting Taiwan-UK relations.
Chen, who received the "2001 Freedom Award" from Liberal In-ternational (LI) when Steel headed the organization, thanked Steel for his support for Taiwan.
Chen said it was a great honor for him to be presented with the freedom award, adding that it was actually an award to the Taiwanese people for accomplishing their first transfer of political power in 2000.
First lady Wu Shu-chen (吳淑珍) received the award on behalf of Chen at the European Parliament headquarters in Strasbourg, France.
LI is the world federation of liberal political parties. Founded in 1947, it has been called the pre-eminent network for liberal parties and seeks to strengthen liberal democracy around the world.
Chen said that, compared with the UK, Taiwan's democracy is still at an early stage of development.
"But we cherish what we have," he said.
Chen also said he hoped to strengthen the economic and trade relationship between Taiwan and the UK, which is Taiwan's third-largest trade partner in Europe.
Steel noted that this was his fourth trip to Taiwan and said he was impressed by Taiwan's democratic achievements.
He said it was a great honor for him to be presented with the medal, and as an advocate for social justice, he would continue to give voice to the Taiwanese people's desire for justice.
Steel was leader of the Liberal Party from 1976 until its 1988 merger with the Social Democratic Party that produced the Liberal Democrats, and was briefly that party's joint interim leader. He was also the first presiding officer of the Scottish Parliament.
Those attending the medal ceremony at the Presidential Office included British members of parliament Sir Archy Kirkwood, Don Foster and John Barrett, and Derek Marsh, director general of the British Trade and Cultural Office.
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