Taipei, Aug. 28 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian prayed for God's blessing for Taiwan Saturday, saying he hopes the Taiwan Strait and the entire world will remain peaceful forever.
Chen made the appeal at the 2004 National Prayer Breakfast at the Taipei International Convention Center, organized by Taiwan's Christian churches. Chen has attended the annual international event since it was first launched in 2001.
In a speech delivered at the meeting, Chen said what Taiwan most needs to pray for is domestic ethnic harmony, democratic reform, economic development, peaceful co-existence between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait and diplomatic breakthroughs.
Chen said he earnestly hopes that all the people of Taiwan will work hand-in-hand to boost national development.
The president quoted from the Old Testament's Book of Isaiah, saying: "A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation" as he prayed for Taiwan's good luck and good fortune.
When the last National Prayer Breakfast was held a year ago, Chen recalled, Taiwan was gripped by a severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak. "I'm grateful that your devout prayer helped Taiwan withstand the SARS ordeal," Chen said.
Nevertheless, he went on, Taiwan still faces many challenges that require concerted efforts to overcome.
First of all, Chen said, all Taiwan citizens, regardless of their mother tongue, ethnic origin, place of residence or political stance, should treat each other with respect, goodwill, benevolence, forgiveness and generosity in order to boost ethnic harmony. "We must uphold the biblical spirit of 'love thy neighbor' to establish a harmonious society," Chen said.
Moreover, Chen went on, Taiwan must continue its democratic reform and forge a viable constitutional framework that can ensure its sustainable national development. "I'm hopeful that the year-end legislative elections will proceed smoothly in line with the principle of 'fair play' and thus contribute to social harmony and democratic development," Chen said.
Noting that the economy is Taiwan's lifeline, Chen said local employers and employees must cooperate closely to survive ever more ferocious global competition and mainland China's "magnetic effect" in attracting foreign investment.
He also said that peaceful cross-strait co-existence and diplomatic breakthroughs are equally important for the country. "We must work continuously and diligently to safeguard permanent peace in the Taiwan Strait and promote regional security and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region," Chen added.