Taipei, June 9 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian urged the opposition-controlled Legislative Yuan Wednesday to pass organic rules for a new diplomacy research institute as early as possible so that Taiwan can train more new-style diplomatic personnel.
Chen made the remarks at the inauguration ceremony for a new building for the Foreign Service Institute under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
Amid the current wave of globalization, Chen went on, traditional diplomatic staff who usually majored in political science or international relations during their college years, need training in new professional fields because international relations now face many new complicated problems, such as economics, environmental protection, public health and immigration. "In the future, we need many qualified professionals from diverse fields to join the diplomatic corps, including promotion of bilateral or multilateral economic cooperation and international publicity. And this trend further signifies the importance of manpower training and the need to upgrade the FSI into a full-fledged diplomacy institute," Chen said, adding that he hopes the legislature will pass the draft organic bill at the earliest possible date.
In his speech, Chen also stressed that diplomatic work should transcend partisan stances and interests. "National interests or the common interests of all of the 23 million Taiwan people should be the only consideration in our diplomatic work. There is no room for partisan consideration in the diplomatic domain. We have only one country. All diplomatic staff should work for our national cause, protect our national sovereign status, safeguard our national dignity and secure our 'living space' in the international community," he added.
Many well-wishers attended the new FSI building inauguration ceremony, including Examination Yuan President Yao Chia-wen, Control Yuan President Fredrick Chien and Minister of Foreign Affairs Tan San Chen, as well as members of the diplomatic corps. Douglas Paal, director-general of the Taipei Office of the American Institute in Taiwan, which represents U.S. interests in Taiwan in the absence of formal diplomatic ties, was also present at the ceremony.