Taipei, Jan. 31 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian returned home late Monday after concluding a five-day state visit to Palau and the Solomon Islands.
Chen was warmly greeted at the airport upon arrival by first lady Wu Shu-jen, Vice President Annette Lu, Presidential Office Secretary-General Su Tseng-chang, Premier-designate Frank Hsieh and other government officials.
He did not make a statement at the airport but held brief individual talks with the government officials who were present to greet him, particularly Su and Hsieh.
Chen departed Jan. 27 for a five-day state visit to Palau and the Solomon Islands, two Republic of China allies in the South Pacific.
During the visit, he attended Palau President Tommy Remengesau's inauguration for a second term Jan. 28 before heading to the Solomon Islands Jan. 29. He also made a stopover in Guam Jan. 31 on his way back to Taiwan.