President Lee Teng-hui this morning receives three visiting Japanese congressmen -- Representatives Edano Yukio, Maehara Seiji and Ikeda Motohisa -- and gives them a warm welcome.
These congressmen are members of Japan's Democratic Party and are concerned about the Republic of China's ongoing development.
During the meeting, President Lee explains to them the ROC's recent political and economic developments, especially the process of democratic reform.
President Lee says that, following sustained economic growth over the years, the ROC is now actively engaging in political reform. For instance, he says, we brought together representatives of political parties, government agencies and academia to convene the National Development Conference(NDC) between December 23 and 28, 1996. "In the NDC, 192 conclusions on many important issues were reached unanimously by the paiticipants. It is more noteworthy that during the process of the NDC, all opinions were respected and listed in the minute book. This is a democratic way to build the consensus among all representatives towards national development," the President points out.
Meanwhile, President Lee tells his guests that, though no formal diplomatic relationship exists between the ROC and Japan, various exchange and cooperation programs between both countries are going on thanks to the longtime bilateral friendship. "I hope the interchange between younger generations on both countries will be strengthened for enhancing mutual understanding," he notes.
Accompanied by Mr. Tzen wen-hua, ROC vice foreign minister, and Mr. Lin Chin-chin, president of the Association of East Asian Relationship, the Japanese guests come to the Office of the President for the meeting. Dr. Ding Mou-shih, secretary-general of the ROC National Security Council, and Mr. Stephen S. F. Chen, deputy secretary-general to the President, are also present.