Vice President Annette Lu received this afternoon Zonta International President Mary Ellen Bittner and extended her welcome for the visit.
As the organization is based in Chicago, Illinois, where Vice President Lu had spent time as a student, she had a sense of friendliness to the head of the Zonta International and presented President Bittner with a painting of her campus.
The trip marked President Bittner's second visit to Taiwan. She was impressed by and held a positive view about the development, progress and prosperity of the Taiwanese society. Bittner also praised Vice President Lu for her efforts and contributions to Taiwan's democracy, freedom and human rights.
Vice President Lu said that women's rights have been highly emphasized in Taiwan, due to the painstaking efforts she had made in her early years in freedom and democracy. Taiwanese women's rights have been further promoted after President Chen Shui-bian and she were sworn in as president and vice president. President Chen has been supportive to women's participation in politics. Not only that Vice President Lu was asked to become the president's deputy, but also that many of the excellent women were recruited into the cabinet. In Taiwan, one fourth of the cabinet members and 22 percent of the legislators are now women. This shows that women's participation in politics and gender equality have thrived in Taiwan.
The Vice President also told her guest that the Democratic Pacific Union, initiated by Taiwan, has been established in mid-August. Some 28 democracy- and freedom- loving countries have become members of the union. The DPU aims to implement a series of projects that will contribute to world democracy, freedom and prosperity.
Vice President Lu also wished the Zonta International conference, held in Taiwan this time, a great success.