President Lee Teng-hui said this morning that the Republic of China is as dedicated to carrying out political reform as it was to promoting Taiwan's economic development.
The President made the remarks while receiving two members of Japan's Diet, Yukio Hatoyama and Motohisa Furukawa, at the Office of the President. The two guests were accompanied by ROC Vice Foreign Minister Tzen Wen-hua for the meeting. Also present was Dr. Ding Mou-shih, secretary-general of the ROC National Security Council.
During the meeting, President Lee exchanged views with the Japanese legislators on matters of mutual concern between Taipei and Tokyo. He also touched upon Taiwan's process of democratization and the results of this country's political reform efforts.
Meanwhile, the President noted that the ROC government has always attached great importance to the development of cross-strait relations, especially since the termination of the Period of National Mobilization for Suppression of the Communist Rebellion in 1991. These actions, he pointed out, indicate that the ROC has effectively renounced the use of force in pursuing China's unification and that it will seek to address cross-strait issues by peaceful means.
The two Diet members, who have both visited Taiwan on several occasions, expressed admiration for President Lee's ideals in governing the nation, especially his efforts at pushing for the recent round of constitutional reforms to putting power in the hands of the people. They also said that they are impressed by the progress and prosperity witnessed here every time they came.