Taipei, May 27 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian ordered the executive branch Tuesday to make all-out efforts to defend Taiwan's legitimate rights in the World Trade Organization (WTO) and safeguard national dignity.
Chen made the remarks while presiding over a national security meeting on the latest developments at the WTO and in relations across the Taiwan Strait.
President Chen called the national security meeting to discuss strategies and tactics to cope with the issue.
Stressing that Taiwan is unlikely to accept the downgrading of its WTO mission, Chen said the executive branch and overseas representative offices should make concerted efforts to seek support for the nation's cause. "We have joined the WTO as a separate customs territory. Our entry formula was completely different from Hong Kong's and Macau's. Beijing has no right to ask us to change our designation in the WTO," Chen said, adding that Taiwan must stand firm in the face of Beijing's challenge and suppression.
Chen expressed regret that mainland China has refused to recognize the Republic of China's existence as a separate country and continues suppressing its presence in the international arena based on the so-called "one China" principle. "For instance, Beijing has recently blocked Taiwan's application for observership in the World Health Assembly -- the World Health Organization's governing body -- even though it's a common wish of the 23 million Taiwan people," Chen said, adding that Beijing's move has not only hurt Taiwan people's feelings but also created a hole in the world health network.
Chen directed Yen to step up consultations with the WTO Secretariat and the WTO secretary-general after returning to Geneva. "We should do whatever we can to defend our rights as an equal WTO member," he said.
Moreover, Chen said, all of ROC diplomats should also gear up to lobby their resident countries to support Taiwan's stance on the WTO issue.