Vice President Lien Chan this morning told Mr. Gary Locke, governor of Washington State, that despite the lack of natural resources, the ROC has achieved world-acclaimed economic accomplishments by relying on its abundant and high-quality human resources, as well as on its diligent small- and medium-size enterprises.
Vice President Lien also pointed out that Taiwan's economic structure has been successfully transformed from traditional into high-tech industries during the past few years and that the production value of high-tech products today amounts to nearly fifty percent of the total value. "We are committed to developing Taiwan into a science and technology island to maintain our competitive advantage in the international market," he emphasized.
Meanwhile, the Vice President invited Washington State to strengthen cultural, trade, academic and tourism relations with Taiwan to benefit the people on both sides.
Governor Locke, who is the first US governor of Chinese descent, expressed his admiration for the ROC's rapid progress in all aspects in recent years, and his appreciation to both the ROC government and its private sector for their efforts to enhance bilateral relations. The governor also hoped that mutual ties of friendship between the ROC and Washington State could be further expanded from its current foundation.
Accompanied by ROC Vice Foreign Minister Francisco H. L. Ou and Director Darryl Johnson of the American Institute in Taiwan's Taipei Office, Governor Locke and his entourage came to the Office of the President for the meeting. They include: Jim Jesernig, director of Department of Agriculture, Tim Douglas, director of Department of Community, Trade & Economic Development, Fred Kiga, director of Department of Revenue, Brent Heinemann, director of Office of International Relations & Protocol, and William Gates, chair of the Technology Alliance of Seattle. Mr. Liao Sheng-hsiung, deputy director of the First Bureau of the Office of the President, was also present.