Taipei, Dec. 14 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian offered sincere congratulations to U.S. President-elect George W. Bush Thursday, saying he hopes that relations between Taiwan and the United States will be further strengthened under the Bush presidency. Vice President Annette Lu has also cabled warm felicitations to U.S. Vice President-elect Dick Cheney.
"I sincerely congratulate you on your election as the next U.S. president," President Chen said in his congratulatory message to Bush.
Chen went on to point out that the Republic of China and the United States share a longtime cordial relationship and have common principles in pursuing democracy and human rights. "I look forward to seeing our two countries strengthen cooperation on the basis of mutual trust and friendly spirit in the future," he added.
Noting that the Taiwan Strait stability is critical to Asia-Pacific regional peace and security and accords with the interests of both countries, Chen said the ROC government is willing to make joint efforts with the incoming Bush administration to maintain stability and promote prosperity and development in the Asia-Pacific region and the whole world.
Chen further said the peoples of the two countries have elected their new national leaders through democratic procedures this year. "I believe that future ROC-U.S. relations will become even stronger on the basis of democracy," he noted.
Chen also expressed his hope that the new U.S. government will reinforce engagements and substantive cooperation with the ROC based on the Taiwan Relations Act and the "six U.S. guarantees" to Taiwan.