President Chen Shui-bian welcomed visiting Kiribati President and Mrs. Anote Tong with full military honors today.
The welcoming ceremony took place at 11 a.m. at the square at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei. After a 21-gun salute and the playing of the national anthems of the two countries, President Chen and President Tong inspected the honor guards of the Republic of China armed forces and later delivered speeches respectively. Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou presented the Keys to Taipei to President Tong. Vice President Annette Lu and many other senior government officials, as well as members of the diplomatic corps, were also present at the ceremony.
President Chen's address is as follows:
On behalf of the government and people of the Republic of China, I would like to extend our sincerest welcome and highest respect to Your Excellency President Tong, First Lady and all members of the delegation for accepting our invitation to visit Taiwan.
Knowledgeable and competent, Your Excellency is one of the most prominent politicians in the South Pacific region. Your Excellency has contributed much to Kiribati's development during your 25-year political career. Since assuming presidency in July 2003, Your Excellency has launched many projects to boost Kiribati's development in various fields, laying a good foundation for the development and construction of your country.
Since the establishment of diplomatic ties between our two countries in November 2003, we have undertaken many cooperative projects based on the principles of mutual trust and reciprocity, and relations have grown increasingly close. In particular, Your Excellency, since assuming office, has been committed to establishing diplomatic relations with Taiwan and strengthening our cooperative ties for mutual friendship to grow continuously on the solid foundation. I would like to extend my sincere admiration to Your Excellency for taking time out of your tight schedule to visit Taiwan, which fully demonstrates your friendship and affirmation for Taiwan. In the future, the Republic of China will work together with Kiribati to realize the ideal of democracy and freedom and provide a better future for the peoples and governments of our two countries.
Your Excellency's visit to Taiwan represents a new page for closer cooperation between our two countries. I would also like to take this opportunity to exchange views with your Excellency on international relations, regional issues and matters of mutual concern. I am convinced that this would further enhance the mutual trust and understanding between our two countries and bring our friendship even closer.
In closing, I wish Your Excellency, First Lady and distinguished guests of the delegation have a pleasant time throughout your stay here in Taiwan.