President Lee Teng-hui this morning meets with visiting American Congressman Maurice Hinchey and expresses gratitude to the Democratic Representative for his longtime support for the Republic of China.
During the meeting, President Lee briefs Rep. Hinchey on the ROC's current situation and future prospects. He tells Rep. Hinchey that the National Development conference held in Taipei last December was a significant and successful event which brought together representatives from different political parties and social sectors to chart the ROC's future development.
President Lee notes that, without putting to vote, 192 "common opinions" were reached while "other opinions" were also recorded in detail. "The conference was so democratic that even different opinions were also fully respected," he adds.
President Lee also says the ROC government will earnestly carry out the 192 "common opinions" reached at the conference to promote further development of this country.
Praising the performance of the ROC, Rep. Hinchey says he is quite confident in the future development of this country. Meanwhile, he congratulates President Lee on the victory in the presidential election last March.
President Lee also reaffirms the ROC government's determination to pursue China's eventual reunification under the tenets of freedom and democracy. However, President Lee stresses that the ROC is an independent sovereign state existing for 86 years. The two sides of the Taiwan Straits are now ruled by two separate governments, he says, adding that "One China refers to the Republic of China, and we can never accept Beijing's claim that the ROC on Taiwan is a province of the People's Republic of China."
On the Hong Kong issue, President Lee expresses deep concern over the well-being of the residents of Hong Kong which will revert to Beijing's rule in July. "We'll do our best to help any of our compatriots there who may need assistance," the President points out.
Rep. Hinchey has been very friendly to the ROC, and this is his third visit to Taiwan. He also traveled to Cornell University in June 1995 to welcome President Lee who was on his landmark visit to his alma mater.
Accompanied by ROC Vice Foreign Minister Tzen Wen-hua, Rep. Hinchey and his special assistant Ms. Allison Randall Lee come to the Office of the President for the meeting. Also present are Dr. Ding Mou-shih, secretary-general of the ROC National Security Council, and Mr. Stephen S. F. Chen, deputy secretary-general to the President.