President Lee Teng-hui this morning met with a group of Philippine officials led by Mr. Cesar B. Bautista, secretary of trade and industry. President Lee extended a cordial welcome to the guests who are visiting Taipei to attend the sixth ministerial-level economic cooperation conference between the Republic of China and the Republic of the Philippines.
During the meeting, President Lee expressed his concern about the current progress of the Subic Bay processing zone project,and he was glad to learn that more than one hundred Taiwan manufacturers are setting up plants there.
President Lee noted that investments from the ROC's private sectors will not only strengthen bilateral economic and trade cooperation but also further economic development and increase job opportunities in the Philippines.
Secretary Bautista thanked President Lee for his concern and appreciated the ROC government for its encouraging Taiwan manufacturers to invest in the Philippines and for its offering assistance to the Philippines regarding economic development.
The guests were accompanied by ROC Minister of Economic Affairs Wang Chih-kang to the Office of the President for the meeting. Dr. Ding Mou-shih, secretary- general of the ROC National Security Council, and Mr. Stephen S.F. Chen, deputy secretary-general to the President, were also present.