President Chen Shui-bian welcomed a U.S. delegation from the Chinese-American Elected Officials (CEO) this afternoon, and expressed his gratitude for their dedication and contributions to Taiwan.
The president said that from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. he had travelled to the Matsu County to visit seven of its islands, including Nangang, Beigan, Dongyin, Liangdao, Gaodeng, and the Jyuguang island. This annual trip on the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival serves to boost moral in the army and aims to express the president's appreciation for Taiwan's service men and women stationed on the frontlines. The president stressed that Taiwan is what it is today because of the sacrifices the men and women of the military have made guarding the nation. He spoke of citizens working and sleeping secured, noting that there is no need to worry Taiwan's flag may be changed the next morning as they wake up. The president said he would make every effort to greet the national army wherever they are, saying that it was already his fifth visit to Matsu County in the past five years, and will definitely not be his last. What matters the most is national security, said the president, and striving to preserve this should be the common goal for all Taiwanese citizens, regardless of the languages they speak and the political parties they belong to.
The president also took the opportunity to express his thanks to U.S. President George W. Bush for ratifying several arms sales to Taiwan in 2001. While the United States has gone through the September 11th, the war on terror, and the tremendous loss of life in several states due to hurricane Katrina, President Chen said he never once heard of U.S. budgets being boycotted or delayed because of bipartisan differences between the Democrats and Republicans. Budgets proposed by the U.S. government have always gained support across party lines, said the president, adding he regretted that the military budget proposal by Taiwan's executive branch for the purchase of three military items has been stalled over 27 times in the Procedure Committee in the Legislative Yuan.
President Chen pointed out that although some of the Matsu islands are uninhabited and only station a few military troops, he wants to visit these islands and greet the military men and women in person because they are the children of Taiwan who view protecting the nation's security not just as their job, but as their obligation. The president also voiced his concerns about the inappropriateness of Taiwan not providing its servicemen and women on the frontlines with enough modern weapons for self-defense. He also expressed his frustration with the irresponsibility of issuing troops with weapons without any regard of upgrading them, leaving their safety at risk.
Using the aftermath of the September 21st earthquake as an example, the president noted that CEO members contributed a great deal in the relief efforts, highlighting their affection for Taiwan. And as Taiwan now walks out of the shadow of the 921 tragedy and the NT$200 billion reconstruction work is near completion, the president commented on the speed of rebuilding Taiwan as comparable to those in Osaka and Kobe, Japan after their own devastating earthquakes. And while the CEO members are public servants in the U.S., the president said they still love Taiwan and have never ceased to support the country's interests, including the hospitality they display when President Chen is in transit in the U.S. as well as the candid words they utter in international organizations. The president therefore expressed his highest respect and gratitude to the delegation, wishing them success as they continue their journey to China and Hong Kong.
Members of the delegation expressed their appreciation for the president taking time to meet with them and also spoke of Taiwan's impressive economic development and democratic progress. They said they would continue to speak on behalf of Taiwan and strive to promote the country's international status.