President Lee Teng-hui, in receiving visiting US Senator John D. Rockefeller this morning, reiterates the firm stance of the ROC government and people in seeking national reunification.
President Lee tells Sen. Rockefeller that the Republic of China as a sovereign country founded 86 years ago continues to exist but and her developmental process is ongoing as well.
President Lee says there is a longstanding friendship between the ROC and the United States, and moreover, the goals and the ideas that the ROC persists in achieving are identical with the traditional American values centered on freedom, democracy, equality and justice.
"Having no egoistic stand, I always place public welfare as the first priority; that is the philosophical basis of my ideals of governance, and also a dream deep inside my heart," President Lee says.
Sen. Rockefeller expresses admiration for President Lee's political philosophy, saying he is deeply impressed with President Lee's perseverance in striving for the welfare of the nation and the people.
Sen. Rockefeller is the first foreign visitor received by President Lee after his succeeding the late President Chiang Ching-kuo on January 13, 1988. This is the senator's eighth visit to Taipei.
During the meeting, President Lee also thanks Sen. Rockefeller for his longtime support for the ROC in the international community, and exchanges views with him on issues of mutual concern.
On cross-Straits relations, President Lee also reiterates his concerns regarding the development of ties between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits, adding that it is necessary to resume dialogue with the mainland on technical issues for the welfare and rights of the people on both sides. "I myself am willing to travel to the mainland on a journey of peace," President Lee notes.
Accompanied by ROC Vice Foreign Minister C. J. Chen and Deputy Director Christopher LaFleur of American Institute in Taiwan's Taipei Office, Sen. Rockefeller comes to the Office of the President for the meeting. Also present is Mr. Stephen S. F. Chen, deputy secretary-general to the President.