Matsu, July 30 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Wednesday his administration is considering making the frontline island of Matsu a special administrative region to facilitate its development.
Chen made the remarks while meeting with members of a private business association in Matsu, which lies closer to mainland China than to Taiwan. Chen flew to Matsu early in the morning to inspect various development projects in the nation's defense outpost.
During the meeting, the private association members also came up with many suggestions, including building a bridge linking Matsu island group's Nankan and Peikan islets, expanding its airport capacity, setting up an offshore shipment center, allowing Taiwan people to travel to mainland China via Matsu and building large tourist vessels to attract Taiwan tourists to Matsu.
Chen, who has made three visits to Matsu since assuming office, said his administration will carefully study the feasibility of all these proposals.
Earlier in the day, Chen visited Matsu Senior High School to review a campus renovation project, where he promised to offer more financial support for the project.
He also made an inspection tour of the Matsu defense headquarters where Gen. Lu Hua-ning briefed the president on the island's combat preparedness and military facility construction plans.
Chen was accompanied by Defense Minister Tang Yiau-min, Vice Minister of Education Fan Shun-lu and other senior officials on his inspection tour.