President Lee Teng-hui this morning told a group of executives of Panamanian mass media that the Republic of China attaches great importance to the World Conference on Panama Canal scheduled for September 1997. "I am glad to be invited to attend the conference and I hope to take this opportunity to share the ROC's development experience with Panama and to strengthen bilateral cooperation," President Lee said.
The President also expressed his gratitude for the invitation extended by Panamanian President Balladares. "To prepare for this conference, I have asked related inistries to form a task force to study which kinds of assistance and expertise the ROC can provide to help the management and operation of the canel," he added.
Accompanied by H. E. Carlos A. Mendoza, the Panamania ambassador to the ROC, the visitors came to the Office of the President for the meeting. Dr. Ding Mou-shih, secretary-general of the ROC National Security Council, Mr. Stephen S. F. Chen, deputy secretary-general to the President, and Dr. Lee Dawei, deputy director-general of the Government Information Office, were also present.
President Lee stressed that the ROC cherishes her longtime relationship with Panama in trade, agriculture, culture and art, and that the ROC government will further strengthen bilateral relations based on the existing ties of friendship.
At the end of the conversation, President Lee pointed out that his visit to Panama in 1985 has deepened his impression on Panama's folkways and constructions. "I believe that, possessing excellent geographic advantages for the development in communication, sightseeing and cargos transportation businesses, Panama will create for herself a bright future through careful planning and management," the President noted.