Taipei, Nov. 27 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Thursday that the Ryukyus are Taiwan's closest geographical neighbor, and that there is amply room to develop closer relations.
Speaking to a goodwill mission from the Ryukyus, Chen said Taiwan and the Ryukyus are closely connected in culture, trade and tourism. Nearly 70,000 Taiwan tourists visit the Ryukyus each year, accounting for 70 percent of foreign visitors to the Ryukyus.
Chen also expressed his gratitude to the Ryukyu government and people for donating medical supplies to help Taiwan to control the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) a few months ago.
He expressed the hope that relations between Taiwan and the Ryukyus will become even closer in coming years.