President Lee Teng-hui said today that the Republic of China highly values its traditional friendship with the United States and hopes to strengthen the relations between the two countries.
The President made the remarks while receiving U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) at his office. He also told her that the ROC government is making great efforts to reach the balance of trade between the two countries, and looking for U.S. support for its early admission to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
During the meeting, Rep. Johnson praised the ROC for its smooth handling of the recent financial crisis in Asia, and stressed American people's friendship. President Lee pointed out that the ROC has been relatively unaffected by the financial woes sweeping much of the East Asia because of its sound economic fundamentals attained by the government and the people during the past decades.
Accompanied by ROC Vice Foreign Minister C. J. Chen and Director Darryle Johnson of the American Institute in Taiwan's Taipei Office, the American congresswoman came to the Office of the President for the meeting. Also present were Secretary-General Ding Mou-shih of the National Security Council and Deputy Secretary-General Su Chi of the Office of the President.