Congratulatory Message to the 1997 World Freedom Day Convention
Lee Teng-hui
President
Republic of China
January 23, 1997
President Chao and Conference Delegates:
On this grand occasion, it is indeed an honor to be able to welcome to Taipei so many distinguished guests from around the world to take part in the 1997 World Freedom Day Convention. You are gathered here united by the cause of "promoting economic prosperity to expand frontiers of freedom." Your suggestions and recommendations on the development of freedom, democracy and economic cooperation in the international community carry far-reaching significance. On behalf of the government and people of the Republic of China, I offer you my warmest welcome and deepest respects.
Taking stock of the world situation, we see clearly how we are forging ahead toward a new era. Chaos has given way to peace and tranquillity. Confrontation has been discarded in favor of cooperation. Only solidarity and cooperation will enable nations to prosper in the midst of the intense international competition of the new world order. The European Parliament and the European Economic Community are working vigorously to expand their influence, and in the Asia-Pacific, a new cooperative alignment is gradually taking shape. Such developments simply prove that international economic cooperation has already emerged as yet another major current building within the tide of freedom and democracy. It is our hope that the nations of the world will seize the opportunity presented by this welcome trend to strengthen regional cooperation and together push the boundaries of prosperity and progress to encompass not only individual regions but the entire globe. Economic accomplishments can be used to propel political democratization and social liberalization, and growing freedom and democracy will in turn promote global economic prosperity. Through this "virtuous cycle," we can ensure the genuine and long-lasting welfare of all mankind.
Global society has reached a golden moment in history. The sun is setting on ideological conflict, and the world is preparing to welcome the dawning of a new age of burgeoning economic development, freedom and democracy. It is of epochal significance that at this time, so many leaders, scholars and experts from the domains of international economics and politics have come to participate in this World Freedom Day Convention and discuss the new orders arising in the Asia-Pacific region and the world. I am profoundly confident that the exchange of knowledge and experience among the conference delegates will advance the drive for freedom and democracy and contribute positively to global prosperity and progress.
In closing, I would like to offer my best wishes for the resounding success of this conference and the good health and happiness of each and every delegate.