President Lee Teng-hui this morning told a group of journalists from El Salvador that, as a member of the Central American Bank for Economic Integration, the Republic of China will be glad to join the Central American Common Market .
The President also said that the ROC is now actively boosting trade with Central American nations and one of her major priorities will be to reach a free trade agreement with the nations of the region.
President Lee further noted that he will lead a delegation to El Salvador this September to attend a Central American summit meeting and that he will sign the free trade agreement mentioned above during the meeting.
"Central America is a region with rich resources, and countries there share a common language and religious belief; therefore, the successful economic development of this region can be expected," the President pointed out.
President Lee also stressed that the ROC hopes to enhance economic exchanges and cooperation with El Salvador, a country with a stable currency, a sound financial market and a favorable investment climate.
Accompanied by Dr. Lee Dawei , deputy director-general of the Government Information Office, five visiting Salvadoran journalists came 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.
Being asked about his views on Hong Kong's status change on July 1, President Lee said that as a Chinese he felt happy to see Hong Kong return to Chinese rule, but he also worried whether or not Hong Kong can still maintain its prosperity after being put under communist control.
The President said that though no major problems will arise during the course of sovereignty transfer, the post-handover development of Hong Kong is more important than the handover itself, and the latter issue deserves greater attention.
At the end of the conversation, President Lee attributed Taiwan's remarkable economic growth in the past decades to its diligent people, adding that universal education, correct government policies and capable leadership have also been the key to the ROC's successful development.