President Lee Teng-hui this morning says that the Republic of China is willing to join in the international community's environmental protection efforts to build a clean and beautiful paradise on the earth.
The President makes the remarks while meeting with foreign environmental protection officials who are attending the 1997 International Conference on Environmental Partnership held on February 25 in Taipei.
While voicing worries over the deteriorating environment and the increased abuse of natural resources, President Lee expresses delight that the world nations have forged a global partnership to protect the global village.
The President also reiterates that the ROC is determined to protect ecological environment and enable economic development and nature conservation to co-exist and co-prosper in harmony.
Echoing President Lee's views, the foreign guests agree to strengthen cooperation and increase exchanges with the ROC in the field of environmental protection.
Among the guests are: Singapore Environmental Minister Yeo Cheow Tong, U.S. Assistant Environmental Protection Administrator Robert Huggett, Philippine Undersecretary of Environmental and Resource Virgilio Marcelo, Holland State Secretary of Housing, Physical Planning and Environment D.K.J Tommel, New Zealand Deputy Secretary of Environment J. Gilbert, and the Asian Development Bank's Vice President Peter Sullivan. They are accompanied by ROC Environmental Protection Administrator Tsai Hsung-hsiung 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.