Taipei, Aug. 16 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Monday he hopes the first Japanese Dietwoman of Taiwanese origin can help bridge closer exchanges between the Republic of China and Japan.
Chen made the remarks during a meeting with Ren Ho, a newly elected member of the upper house of the Japanese Diet (parliament) who was born to a Taiwanese father and a Japanese mother. "I earnestly hope you can serve as a conduit to help boost substantive Taiwan-Japanese relations," Chen told Ren Ho, who arrived in Taipei Sunday for her first visit to Taiwan since she won a parliamentary seat last month.
Chen said he is most hopeful that Ren Ho can help push the Japanese government to offer visa-free privileges to Taiwan citizens intending to visit Japan, sign a free trade agreement with Taiwan, forge a Taiwan-Japan security dialogue mechanism and support Taiwan's bid to join the World Health Assembly -- the governing body of the World Health Organization -- as an observer.
Taiwan has long offered visa-free treatment for Japanese tourists. Chen said he hopes Japan can offer similar treatment for Taiwan holidaymakers on the principle of reciprocity.
Chen lauded Ren Ho for her taking pride in her Taiwanese origin. Ren Ho has on many occasions said she is proud of her father and her father's country of Taiwan.