Conference Chairman Liu, Executive Director Chen, Leaders, Friends and Rotaractors from Rotary International, Participants in the Asia Pacifc Regional Conference: Good Morning!
I am delighted to meet with so many rotaractors from the Asia-Pacific region, who are here in Taipei, Taiwan for the Asia Pacific Regional Rotaract Conference—a forum dedicated to discussions of how rotaractors should best meet the challenges of the new era. First, on behalf of the government and the people of Taiwan, I would like to extend to all of you my warmest welcome.
Aletheia University, the venue where this year's conference was held, is located in the beautiful town of Tamshui, where ancient relics, traditional food stalls, sunset vistas, and a Fisherman's Wharf represent a delicate slice of Taiwan's history, culture and natural beauty. I sincerely hope that in the past few days, besides participating in the conference, all our friends from abroad have also had the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of and a greater love for Taiwan.
The mission of Rotaract clubs is to offer young people between the ages of 18 and 30 opportunities to enhance their knowledge and skills to serve communities and local townships, as well as promoting world peace and international cooperation based on the spirit of friendship and service. Currently, more than 7,600 Rotaract clubs have been established in 150 countries worldwide. To date, fourteen nations in the Asia-Pacific region have become home base to Rotaract clubs. By April of this year, 93 Rotaract clubs have been established in many counties and towns in Taiwan, with a total of more than 1,600 members nationwide. Taiwan's Rotaract is definitely one of the most widespread and well-organized youth organizations in our country.
The "2005 Asia Pacific Regional Rotaract Conference" is very different from previous international Rotary activities Taiwan has taken part in; this year, Taiwan's rotaractors proactively sought opportunities to host this year's event; and the same group of young rotaractors also planned and carried out programs for the Conference. During the entire process, Taiwan's Rotarians allowed the rotaractors to be fully in charge and only played the role of a counselor to their younger counterparts. Youth are the pillar of the nation. The hard work of our rotaractors, most of them in their 20's and 30's, and their fortitude in hosting a conference as large as this one has touched many people's hearts. Participants in this conference came from 20 countries and nearly 200 of you are from abroad. Today is the last day of this conference and everything has proceeded smoothly. I am full of hope for Taiwan's future as I see the courage and capability of our rotaractors injecting new energy into our society.
Rotary International has been actively promoting Rotary activities in China and has established the Provisional Rotary International Club of Beijing and the Provisional Rotary International Club of Shanghai. Although the Chinese government's policies still pose obstacles to the establishment of Rotary clubs in China, it is predictable that with the gradual liberalization of China's economic policies, official Rotary clubs will burgeon in China in the foreseeable future to facilitate increasing interactions among business professionals. China always exerts its economic leverage in trying to coerce Taiwan into complying with its political agenda and it continues using all kinds of tactics to degrade Taiwan's status in international organizations. If the number of Rotary clubs in China keeps increasing, new Rotary districts will need to be continually re-charted in China in order to accommodate the growing number of club members. In this case, China will someday have enough Rotary district governors and votes to swing election results in Rotary International, and it is likely that Beijing will start to oppress Taiwan in international Rotary activities once it garners sufficient influence to pressure the organization's operations. Therefore, Rotarians in Taiwan as well as our government need to heed China's possible oppressive manipulations against Taiwan in international Rotary activities in the future.
The annual Rotary International conference is one of the few international events where Taiwan's national flag can be properly displayed. We believe, therefore, that international Rotary activities are important to Taiwan's meaningful participation in the international community. We have attached great significance to this year's Asia Pacific Regional Rotaract Conference in Taipei; our Rotaract clubs have also mobilized almost all club members to join the preparations for this event. We hope to present to our friends from abroad the best Taiwan can offer; and through these concerted efforts, we hope that the voice of our people can be heard all over the world. One of Taiwan's main goals in hosting this year's conference is to provide rotaractors from various countries opportunities to interact and learn from senior Rotarians' experiences; more importantly, we hope that this event will provide a pathway for Taiwan to "reach out and open its doors to the world." I am confident that you all have, as a result, witnessed Taiwan's richly diverse cultures through planned activities of the Conference such as the welcoming party, culture night and Rotaract festival.
You will have a tour of the 86-year-old Presidential Building shortly after our meeting. I hope this tour can leave a deep impression on you and that you will leave with a greater understanding of Taiwan, our beautiful and great country. I believe all of you are aware that due to China's relentless oppression, Taiwan faces difficult situations in the international arena. Even though the 23 million people of Taiwan are under daily threats posed by more than 700 Chinese missiles targeting at Taiwan, we will never give up our solemn mission to safeguard Taiwan's democracy. All of you here are Taiwan's best friends, and it is my earnest hope that you can continue to reach out to Taiwan in the international society with your helping hand and allow the warmth of friendship to flow freely among all of us. I urge you to speak out for Taiwan and help Taiwan to have our rightful participatory role in international affairs. For Taiwan's rotaractors, I hope you will continue to strive towards the goal of hosting the triennial international Rotaract Conference. Let me extend my warmest welcome to you once again. I myself am a Rotary club member. Actually, I am our country's first President that is a Rotary club member. It is truly my great pleasure to see all of you here, who are like my brothers, sisters and children. In closing, I wish all of you health and happiness! Thank you!