Vice-president Lu attended a tea party with the trainees of the "Training Program for High-Level Economic Planners of Central and South American Allies" this afternoon. Aside from showing her concern about their living and learning conditions in Taiwan, the vice-president also shared in the visitors' feelings about what they have seen and felt in their host country of Taiwan.
Having visited Central America in March of this year, the vice-president remarked that the experiences Taiwan gained during its economic development could be utilized by many of its diplomatic allies; thus, she initiated this training program. The vice-president noted that in a few days the Democratic Pacific Union would be establish with a ceremony attended by many presidents and vice-presidents, as well as, other important foreign governmental officials. On the list of attendees are prominent guests such as, Guatemalan president Oscar Berger, Costa Rican president Abel Pacheco and vice-president of El Salvador de Escobar. Vice-President Lu expects that the trainees will have a great opportunity to present their achievements and their newfound knowledge to their superiors at this event.
Referring to the vice-president as an example of Taiwan's democratic growth, the visitors were not only impressed by Taiwan's economic development, but its political progressiveness as well. The visitors said they would apply the knowledge they have acquired from Taiwan to improve their countries' economies and help strengthen their governments relationship with Taiwan.
As the tea party drew to a close, the vice-president voiced her thoughts on two topics. First, on the close relationship Taiwan shares with its allies in South America despite the great distance that separates them; she hopes that the visitors will impart their countries with the message that Taiwan is everyone's "best friend." Second, in reference to the first "Taiwan Park" established in El Salvador, the vice-president wished to reassure neighboring allies that Taiwan remains very interested in developing similar projects in different locations within the region. One of the principal aims of this trip was to inform the visitors of Taiwan's willingness to invest and eagerness to cooperate in the development of their countries as long as there respective governments welcome it.
The vice-president further highlighted the "Taiwan-El Salvador Park" as a Build-Operate-Transfer model in which Taiwan provides the capital and shares the responsibilities of development and operation. The government of El Salvador provided, for free, land near an airport for the establishment of the park. The vice-president anticipates solidifying Taiwan's missions in El Salvador, but also looks forward to cooperating with more of Taiwan's other allies.
The "Training Program for High-Level Economic Planners of Central and South American Allies" is considered the starting point in Taiwan's economic cooperation with its allies in South America. Its opening ceremony was held on the morning of August 1st, presided over by the vice-president herself. The 20 trainees from South American countries are all middle to high-level government officials. They are respectively in charge of their country's economic development planning, trade investment, agricultural administration, harbor construction, finance and banking, diplomatic and parliamentary affairs.