President Lee Teng-hui today reiterates that China's reunification remains to be a long-term goal of the Republic Of China, and that, prior to the realization of this goal, the international society should recognize the fact that China is divided into two political entities.
The President also points out that the ROC as a sovereign country founded 86 years ago continues to exist, adding that the ROC can never accept Peking's view that the ROC on Taiwan is a province of the People's Republic of China.
President Lee makes the remarks while meeting with the 18 international guests attending the 1997 World Freedom Day activities currently held in Taipei. The guests are accompanied by Dr. Chao Tze-Chi, president of the World League for Freedom and Democracy, to the Office of the President for the meeting this afternoon. Also present is Mr. Stephen S. F. Chen, deputy secretary-general to the President.
During the meeting, President Lee explains to his guests the recent developments in the Taiwan area. According to the President, through the joint effort of the people here, this country has ushered in a new era of political democracy, economic prosperity, social progress, and equitable prosperity. As a result, the ROC on Taiwan not only stands up proudly in the international society but also plays an exemplary role for other developing countries, he notes.
On the ROC's future development plan, President Lee says that, aiming to modernize this country and create a sound living enviroment for the generations to come, the government and people of the ROC are now embarking on various reforms in judicial, educational, administrative, economic and cultural fields.
In international relations, the President notes, the ROC is committed to strengthening friendship and cooperation with other countries, to participating in international activities, and to joining international organizations. We are doing this because we want to work hand in hand with all nations to create a new level of civilization, that is, peace, cooperation, and prosperity, President Lee points out.
The President goes further to say that, in the new world order, the pursuit for freedom, promotion of democracy, and respect for human rights have become the common tenets to be followed by the international society. He tells his guests that a high degree of economic liberalization and the strengthening of regional economic alliance will become the global trend, and he predicts that these changes will inject vitality into the world civilization, bringing forth endless innovation and progress.
Given the fact that all the guests are leaders in political and academic circles in their respective countries, President Lee hopes that, after their firsthand knowledge of the situation here, they can help the ROC in her bid to join international organizations.
The guests tell President Lee that they are deeply impressed by the ROCs achievements in political and economic arena in recent years. They agree that, as a model for developing countries, the ROC is entitled to a more reasonable status in the international society.