Vice President Lien Chan today hosted a luncheon in honor of the delegations of the Second Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China and the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
During a speech to his guests, the Vice President reiterated that the ROC is determined to seize very opportunity to participate in international programs and international organizations, in order to expand her cooperation and exchanges with various nations of the world and to consolidate our status in the international society.
The luncheon was held in the Taipei Guest House. ROC Foreign Minister Jason Hu, Finance Minister Paul Chiu, Education Minister Lin Ching-jiang, Economics Minister Wang Chih-kang, Transportation & Comminications Minister Lin Fong-cheng, Economic Planning & Development Chairman Chiang Pin-kung, Mainland Affairs Council Chairman King-yu Chang, Central Bank Governor Peng Huai-nan as well as ambassadors of Central and South American countries to the ROC were also invited.
The full text of Vice President Lien's speech is as follows:
His Excellencies Prime Minister Douglas, Minister Cruickshank, Minister Charles, Minister Fletcher, Ambassadors to the ROC, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am very glad to have the opportunity to host this luncheon today to express our warmest welcome to the foreign ministers of the four Eastern Caribbean countries. You have come a long way to participate in the Second Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China and the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Although the Eastern Caribbean countries are geographically distant from the Republic of China, our friendship has traditionally been very close and cordial. Through our combined efforts for many years, we have developed close cooperative relations with each other. All of you have made a special effort to visit the Republic of China in order to exchange views on the current international situation, the existing and future cooperation projects between the Eastern Caribbean countries and the Republic of China, and other issues of mutual concern. I am convinced that this will further promote our mutual understanding and friendship.
In recent years, we have scored fruitful economic and political achievements through the dedicated efforts of all our people. The achievements are well recognized by the international community. In order to expand our cooperation and exchanges with various nations of the world and to consolidate our status in the international society, we are determined to seize very opportunity to participate in international programs and international organizations. On the one hand, we hope to feed back to some of our good fortune to countries and regions which are in need. On the other hand, we would enjoy greater interaction with the international community. Regrettably, the Beijing regime is determined to disparage and continually does all it can to isolate and obstruct us. A friend in need is a friend indeed. I would like to reiterate our sincere gratitude to you, our allies, for your unwavering support. We hope that you will continue to back the Republic of China's efforts to participate in the United Nations and other international organizations.
We cherish our friendship with the Eastern Caribbean countries and actively promote cooperative relations with them. This is the second meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs. I would like once again to welcome all the distinguished guests who have come to the Republic of China to take part in the meeting. I believe that the relationship between the Republic of China and each one of your countries will be fulfilling as we work together in fruitful cooperative projects.
In conclusion, I would like to propose a toast to His Excellencies Prime Minister Douglas, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and the distinguished guests of the delegations for a pleasant stay in the Republic of China, good health and every success. Thank you.