President Chen Shui-bian received Kiwanis International President Steve Siemens and Mrs. Siemens at the Office of the President on March 9, extending his warmest welcome and wishing the organization's annual Asia Pacific convention to be held in Kaohsiung a success.
When President Chen was the mayor of Taipei City, he successfully assisted the Taiwan District of Kiwanis International to win the bid of hosting the 2001 Kiwanis International World Convention, of which the president felt very proud.
The president congratulated Mr. and Mrs. Siemens for having chosen Kaohsiung as the venue for the organization's annual Asia Pacific convention, for Kaohsiung is a beautiful, developed, and modern ocean city. The president pointed out to the guests that he was also very proud that the former president of the Taiwan District would preside over the organization's 2007 Asia Pacific convention, to be held in Manila, the Philippines.
The president told Mr. Siemens he was very glad that his ideal to create a "Volunteer Taiwan" coincided with the Kiwanis International philosophy, "Kiwanis is where a need is served."
Besides thanking the president for taking time to receive him and his wife, Mr. Siemens praised the Taiwan District's outstanding achievements in serving the minorities and communities. "Working with ardor and partnering with governmental and nongovernmental organizations, the Kiwanis International can provide the world with better services," said Mr. Siemens.