Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

Taipei, Jan. 10 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian met his Malawi counterpart Bingu Wa Mutharika Monday at the Presidential Office and said that the Republic of China will eventually become a member of the United Nations and obtain observer status in the World Health Assembly with Malawi's support and assistance.

Chen told his guest, who arrived in Taipei earlier that same day for a five-day official visit, that he based his confidence on the U.N.'s principle of universality and the idea that health has no boundaries, while Malawi has repeatedly spoken for the ROC's unsuccessful bids for membership in those organizations.

Chen thanked Mutharika for the support and assistance his country has extended to the ROC in the international arena.

He also expressed appreciation for Mutharika's firm support for Taiwan's successful bid to become a member of the World Trade Organization in January 2002, when he served as secretary-general of the Common Market of Southeast Africa.

Accepting an invitation extended by Mutharika during the meeting, Chen said he was proud to become the first ROC president to visit Malawi when he toured the African ally in July 2002 and that he is willing to visit Malawi again at an opportune time.

For his part, Mutharika said Malawi is keen to learn about Taiwan's experience in transforming from a developing country to a developed one.

Malawi supports Taiwan's membership of international organizations because it believes Taiwan's experience can be shared by other nations only when it becomes a member of such international groups, he said.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Tan Sun Chen and Presidential Office Secretary-General Su Tseng-chang were also present at the meeting.