Taipei, Feb. 13 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian and visiting Kiribati President Anote Tong signed a joint communiqué Friday, pledging to promote peace based on parity and reciprocality and to step up two-way cooperation.
Chen and Tong inked the document at the Presidential Office, with the two heads of state promising to settle regional and international disputes through peaceful means such as dialogue and negotiations in line with principles of equality and fairness.
Chen and Tong also vowed to enhance and upgrade bilateral cooperative ventures based on their current cordial relations.
Praising Taiwan's remarkable developments on the economic, political and social fronts, Tong thanked Chen for the warm reception that the Republic of China government and its people have extended to him and invited Chen to visit his island nation located in the South Pacific.
Tong left Taiwan for Kiribati later the same day. Prior to his departure, the Kiribati president was accorded a farewell ceremony at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei. The previous day, Tong and his entourage were treated to a state banquet featuring Hakka food at a resort villa in northern Hsinchu County.