Taipei, Nov. 13 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Thursday he would like to take part in the National Convention of the U.S. Republican Party next year when the party nominates its presidential candidate.
Meeting with Ann L. Wagner, co-chairman of the Republican National Committee, Chen said he hopes Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party will be invited to the gala gathering and that he, as DPP chairman, would be glad to watch in person the nomination of the Republican presidential candidate.
The president thanked Wagner for Republican support for Taiwan, which culminated in 2000 when a statement about the party's friendship with Taiwan was written into the party's platform.
Chen also expressed his thanks to President George W. Bush and his administration for the warm reception he received in the United States earlier this month when he made a transit stopover there en route to Panama.
Wagner was visiting Taiwan at the head of a delegation from the Republican National Committee.