When meeting with a Republican Youth delegation from the United States on October 13th, President Chen Shui-bian said that his promises made to the Bush administration and the United States have remained unchanged. He would make every effort to safeguard Taiwan's democracy and maintain the peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
Regarding the recent nuclear test by North Korea, President Chen said that it is a serious provocation that poses threats to the peace, security and stability in the entire Asia-Pacific region. Even with the mechanism of six-party talks, the international community still failed to prevent this crisis, he said. Therefore, Taiwan is worried about the future development in the Taiwan Strait, for there is no similar communication channel for cross-strait differences and disputes.
President Chen also expressed his hope that the Legislative Yuan would support his administration's bills concerning people's livelihood as well as the arms purchases.
"Facing China's military threat," said President Chen, "Taiwan has to reinforce its national defense, so we plan to raise the national defense expenditures to 2.85% of GDP next year and 3% in 2008."
The delegation was led by John K. Menzies. Also present at the meeting were Taiwan's Vice Foreign Minister Chang Siao-yue and Deputy Secretary-General to the President Liu Shyh-fang.