President Lee Teng-hui this morning confered on H.E. Enrique Bolanos Geyer, Vice President of the Republic of Nicaragua, the Order of Brilliant Star with Special Grand Cordon in recognition of the latter,s contribution to promoting Sino-Nicaraguan cooperative relations. Heading an official delegation, Vice President Bolanos, along with his wife, is on a week-long visit to the ROC.
The decorating ceremony was held at the Office of the President. Madame Bolanos and the delegation members, Dr. Huang Kun-hui, secretary to the President, Mr. John Chang, foreign minister of the ROC, Mr. Stephen S. F. Chen, deputy secretary-general to the President, Mr. Salvador Stadthagen, Nicaraguan ambassador to the ROC, Mr. Lin ki-tseng, ROC ambassador to Nicaragua were invited to witness the ceremony.
In a speech after receiving the medal, Vice President Bolanos said he felt greatly honored for being decorated by President Lee in the ROC soil, adding that he was deeply proud of it.
Talking about his delegation,s one-week trip here, the vice president expressed his appreciation for the courtesy the ROC government accorded them. He also told President Lee that the ROC's beautiful scenery, harmonial society and friendly people have impressed him greatly and that such the merits of the Chinese as being elegant, friendly and pursuing accuracy are what the westerners could learn from. He believed that the ROC will become even more prosperous under the leadership of President Lee and through the joint efforts of its people.