Taipei, Aug. 5 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian on Thursday received New York City mayoral candidate Fernando Ferrer and expressed gratitude for his long-term support to Taiwan.
Chen noted that he and Ferrer have much in common, as Ferrer served as New York City councilor from 1982 to 1987, and then four-term Bronx borough president of New York City, while he himself was a Taipei City councilor from 1981-1985.
Being an influential Hispanic-American politician, Ferrer has made great contributions to New York City development, and being a member of a minority group in the United States, Ferrer can especially understand Taiwan's unique situation of having to face strong pressure in the form of mainland China's blockade against the island in many aspects in the world community, Chen said.
As a result, Ferrer has shown much support for Taiwan and for this the people in Taiwan are very grateful, Chen added.
Chen recalled that when he was Taipei City mayor, he used New York City development as a reference, especially when he was planning the Hsinyi district urban plan to develop the area into a world-class financial center.
In addition, Chen said he had much to learn from New York City's subway system when he was planning Taipei's mass rapid transport system.