PRESIDENT VOWS TO DEFEND PEACEFUL TAIWAN STRAIT STATUS QUO
ROC Central News Agency
2006-03-08 10:58:03
(repeat)
Taipei, March 7 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian pledged Tuesday to safeguard peace in the Taiwan Strait and prevent this peaceful status quo from being altered.
Chen made the remarks while receiving a delegation from Indonesia headed by former Indonesian Defense Minister Wiranto.
As Taiwan's leader, Chen said, he is obligated to defend the peaceful status quo across the Taiwan Strait and prevent any military conflict from happening in the region.
To avoid war, he went on, carrying out democratic reform and maintaining a genuine liberal democratic system are the most important facets of safeguarding the peaceful Taiwan Strait status quo.
According to Chen, relations between Taiwan and Indonesia have become ever closer since he made an unscheduled surprise stopover on the Indonesian resort island of Bali due to a typhoon last October on his way back to Taiwan after a diplomatic tour. "It is hoped that bilateral exchanges and cooperation between our two countries can continue to grow and expand in the future, " Chen said.
Noting that Taiwan is Indonesia's fifth-largest foreign investor, Chen said there is an urgent need for the two countries to resume annual ministerial-level economic conferences to further boost bilateral economic cooperation. Taiwan's investment in Indonesia accounts for one-third of its total investment in the 10 countries that make up the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Amid reports of several confirmed avian flu cases in Indonesia, Chen said the two countries should also strengthen cooperation in epidemic control and prevention.
(By Sofia Wu)
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