Taipei, May 29 (CNA) Republic of China President Chen Shui-bian on Monday received US House Representatives Solomon Ortiz and Congressman Silvestre Reyes, who arrived in Taipei earlier that day for a five-day visit.
Chen told the two Democratic congressmen from Texas that pursuing peace across the Taiwan Strait is top priority task and his mission as leader of Taiwan.
He noted that he has exerted caution and care in his handling of cross-strait relations since winning the March 18 presidential election, and added that Beijing has found no excuse so far to use military means against Taiwan.
Ortiz, who reiterated his continued support for the ROC, gave Chen a letter signed by US congressmen of Spanish descent that extended congratulations on Chen's presidential victory.
Reyes told Chen that when he and Ortiz met with US President Bill Clinton at the White House last week, Clinton asked them to convey his greetings to Chen.
Chen for his part welcomed the visit, and expressed his hope that cooperation between Taiwan and the United States will be further consolidated.