President Chen Shui-bian received Louis Joseph Chimango, Speaker of the National Assembly of Malawi, and his wife on October 11. President Chen expressed appreciation for their attending the ROC's National Day celebrations.
President Chen said that though there were protests and illegal gatherings on October 10, the order was soon restored on October 11, which attested to Taiwan's democracy and respect for freedom of speech.
President Chen also extended his regards to Bingu Wa Mutharika, President of Malawi, who voiced for Taiwan's bid to join the UN this year. President Mutharika said that the UN should not fall into the great powers' arena and that the exclusion of the 23 million people of Taiwan from the UN is unfair, and thus called on the international community to recognize the existence of the Republic of China (Taiwan).
In addition, President Chen said that he was satisfied with the achievements of the two-way cooperation between Taiwan and Malawi in agriculture, medical service, public health, vocational education, infrastructure and national defense.
Speaker Chimango said that he was impressed with Taiwan's democracy and promised to help Taiwan join the international community.
Also present at the meeting were Vice Foreign Minister Chang Siao-yue and Deputy Secretary-General to the President Liu Shyh-fang.