President Chen Shui-bian received Denzil Douglas, Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, this morning and expressed his warm welcome to the visitor, as it is his fifth visit to the island.
The president said that with the support and love of the people, Prime Minister Douglas has led his Labor Party three times to victory in ten years, which is something that is really worthy of congratulating. Douglas has long been providing support to the Republic of China's international affairs; especially during this year and last year's World Health Assembly, Douglas publicly spoke for Taiwan to become an observer country on behalf of his government. President Chen expressed his most sincere gratitude for this act that has greatly helped in allowing Taiwan to become an observer country at the World Health Assembly.
The president pointed out that since Taiwan and Saint Kitts and Nevis established official diplomatic ties 22 years ago, on October 9, 1983, both countries have started to develop close ties and cooperation, including the Warner Park which both countries are concerned, the constructions of outlying islands' multi-functional cultural center and the cruise liner terminal, all have satisfying results. The president also expressed his enthusiasm on the intention of the authorities of Saint Kitts and Nevis to establish an embassy and send an ambassador, and further emphasized that our government would give its full support and provide abundant cooperation.
Before arriving in Taiwan, Prime Minister Douglas was attending the Second Southern Summit of the Group of 77. The president said he believed that the summit should have been successful.
The president said that since Taiwan and Saint Kitts and Nevis established diplomatic ties 22 years ago, no leader from the Republic of China has ever visited Saint Kitts yet. If he has the opportunity, he hopes to pay a visit to this most beautiful place in September and become the first leader of the Republic of China to visit Saint Kitts.
Prime Minister Douglas said that each of his five visits to Taiwan during the past nine years left him very deep impressions, especially concerning Taiwan's democratic and economic development. Although the island faces keen competition internationally, President Chen's outstanding leadership has already put Taiwan's achievements in the world limelight.
Douglas pointed out that the "Anti-Separation Law" passed by the Chinese government is indeed a factor in Asia-Pacific's instability. But he strongly believes that Taiwan can still interact positively with the international community so that Taiwan could enjoy peace, stability and a harmonious life. Douglas reiterates that the Saint Kitts and Nevis will keep on supporting Taiwan in all kinds of international events and he believes that this has a positive meaning in terms of preserving peace in the area. Besides, Douglas also said that the purpose of establishing an embassy is principally aimed at promoting peace across the Taiwan Strait and learning the successful experience of the island.
Prime Minister Douglas is very grateful for the help that Taiwan has been providing to his country in the past years, especially in terms of infrastructure constructions that allowed it to go through difficult challenges. Douglas also mentioned that his country's industry is currently going through a period of big transformation and hopes to switch from sugar cane industry to the service sector and information technology. Since Taiwan was successful in such conversion, he hopes that both countries could have intense interaction and that Taiwan could provide technical assistance and help them converse smoothly.
In return, the president is grateful to Saint Kitts and Nevis' unconditional support. He said that Taiwan and Saint Kitts are both ocean countries, and their people are all the children of the ocean; therefore, both countries have to abide by universal values such as democracy, peace and human rights so that both countries can closely cooperate despite the distance that keeps them apart.
The president said that the "Anti-Separation Law" passed by the Chinese government is an attempt to use non-peaceful or violent means to resolve their dispute; such an act is not only violating universal values, but also against the principle that regional disputes have to be dissolved through dialogue and peaceful means. The Republic of China is a sovereign country. Being the country's leader, he will do everything possible to protect its sovereignty, dignity and security, and will not allow Taiwan being invaded or annexed or even become a special administration region or local government.
The president said that the industry, which a country relies on, has to change following the change of time. Taiwan has also made many of such changes and its experience can be useful to Saint Kitts. The sugar industry also used to be one of Taiwan's most important revenue resources. The industry still exists, however, it has already transformed and is now growing value-added products or is turning its farms into scientific parks, land for universities or even cooperating with local communities to develop cultural industry. The president emphasized that Taiwan will be happy to cooperate with Saint Kitts and Nevis in terms of personnel training and technology exchanges and hopes that this could be of help to the industry conversion in Saint Kitts. He expects that both countries could develop closer ties on the existing basis and uplift the relationship.