Taipei, May 19 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian met with a slew of visiting foreign dignitaries Wednesday on the eve of his inauguration for a second four-year term.
Among his guests were Swazi King Mswati III, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Allan Kemakeza, Tuvalu Prime Minister Saufatu Soponga and Tashi Wangdi, the Tibetan government-in-exile's ambassador to India who is representa ting the Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, to attend Chen's inaugural ceremony.
While meeting with the foreign dignitaries, Chen expressed his gratitude for their long journeys to Taiwan to attend his inauguration. He also extended his heartfelt thanks for their support for Taiwan's bid to join the World Health Organization (WHO).