Taipei, Aug. 21 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Thursday his appeal for economic and cultural integration between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait is mainly aimed at creating peace, democracy and prosperity on both sides of the strait.
Addressing the opening session of the fourth summit meeting of top leaders of the Republic of China and its diplomatic allies in Central America and the Caribbean, Chen said he hopes to resolve cross-strait political disputes through increased economic and cultural exchanges and integration.
Chen urged mainland China to renounce the option of military force in resolving disputes and to work together with Taiwan in creating peace, democracy and prosperity for the benefit of the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
He added that this is also the basis of the ROC's thinking in actively participating in the process of Central American integration. "We are more than willing to work with our Central American allies in boosting democracy, prosperity, peace and equitable distribution of wealth in the region," he said.
Since the first ROC-Central America summit meeting was held in 1997, Chen said, the event has laid clear direction for bilateral and multilateral cooperation between the ROC and its allies in the region. "With co-prosperity, cooperation and development as the main themes, I'm convinced that the current meeting will further consolidate the foundation for our future cooperation and sustainable development," Chen said.
He also took advantage of the occasion to thank the Central American and Caribbean diplomatic allies for their firm support for Taiwan's cause in the international community over the years. "We appreciate your unswerving support for our bid to join major international organizations, including the United Nations and the World Health Organization (WHO)," Chen said.
Noting that the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) earlier this year has signified the importance of international cooperation in disease control and prevention, Chen said Taiwan's bid to join the WHO has thus received more sympathy and support this year.
Because of Beijing's opposition, Chen said, Taiwan is still shut out of the WHO. Chen said the ROC will not be daunted by the setback and will make continued efforts to realize its goal to join the world health body for the sake of enhancing health care for its people and making a greater contribution to world health.
Thanks to a series of pump-priming projects adopted by his administration, Chen said, Taiwan has gradually recovered from the adverse impact brought by the SARS outbreak between March and June this year.
Despite Beijing's diplomatic embargo against Taiwan, Chen said, Taiwan is by no means an isolated island. On the contrary, he said, Taiwan is a "global island" with extensive ties with the rest of the world.
While diligently developing its economy and carrying out democratic reforms, Chen said, Taiwan has also spared no efforts in fulfilling it obligations as a member of the global community.
Through its democratic reforms, human rights protection, and active participation in international humanitarian relief programs and the global anti-terrorist campaign, Chen said Taiwan has received ever-increasing world recognition. Countries around the world can no longer ignore Taiwan's existence and must face up to its presence in the international community, he added.
Chen also reaffirmed the consistency and continuity of the ROC's diplomatic policy, saying that his administration will abide by all the country's agreements and treaties with other countries and will honor its promises to its allies.
Chen said he hopes the current summit meeting will chart concrete programs and measures to further boost cooperation.
Meanwhile, Chen said he is scheduled to make his third state visits to Central American countries in November to bring Taiwan people's love and frienship to ROC allies in the region. He added he believes that "heads of state diplomacy" or "summit diplomacy" is an effective way to promote international relations.
Attendees at the summit nclude Costa Rica President Abel Pacheco, Nicaragua President Enrique Bolanos, El Salvador President Francisco Flores, Guatemala President Alfonso Portillo, Panama President Mireya Moscoso, Honduras Vice President Alberto Diaz, Belize Prime Minister Said Musa, and Sergio Grullo, secretary-general to the president of the Dominican Republic.