Taipei, Feb. 10 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Tuesday that Kiribati President Anote Tong's state visit is a historic event that signals a good omen for Taiwan for the new year.
Chen made the remarks during talks with Tong at the Presidential Office. "Tong is the first foreign head of state to visit the Republic of China this year. He brings with him sunshine and an omen of good fortune for Taiwan for the new year," Chen said.
Chen noted that since Taiwan and Kiribati forged formal diplomatic ties last November, officials from the two countries have exchanged several rounds of visits. "Tong's state visit marks a climax of this series of exchanges, " Chen said.
Noting that both Taiwan and Kiribati are maritime states, Chen said there is ample room for the two countries to cooperate for their mutual benefit.
Located on the equator in the Pacific Ocean, halfway between Hawaii and Australia, Kiribati is the world's largest coral reef nation, with a sprawling exclusive economic zone. It is heavily dependent on revenue from fishing licenses.
Chen said Taiwan's deep-sea fishing vessels have paid a huge amount in license fees to Kiribati, thereby contributing to its economic development.