Taipei, Aug. 13 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian and his 200-member entourage left Taipei on Sunday evening, beginning a 13-day visit to six states in the Caribbean, Central America and Africa.
President Chen said before his departure that his tour signals that Taiwan is standing up and reaching out. "We want to see the whole world and let the world see us," he added.
Saying that the island would like to share its "Taiwan miracle" experience with the rest of the world, Chen stressed, "We will carry our 'Taiwan experience' out of the country and bring back friendship from our allies so as to enlarge Taiwan's presence on the international stage."
Chen's trip will take him to the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, the Gambia, Burkina Faso and Chad. He is scheduled to return to Taipei on Aug. 26.