Taiwan and Alaska have a good cooperation in the energy, mining, fishery, forestry and tourism industries, and the Taiwan government would continue to support these cooperation projects, said President Chen Shui-bian.
President Chen made the remarks when meeting with Alaska Governor Frank Murkowski and his wife on October 31, who were here to attend the 3rd annual meeting of the Taiwan-Alaska Trade & Investment Cooperation Council (TATICC). TATICC was established by the state of Alaska and Taiwan in 2004 to promote mutual trade and investment.
President Chen said he was deeply touched by Governor Murkowski's long and staunch support for Taiwan, citing the fact that this was his 19th trip to Taiwan and would be his last time as the Governor of the State of Alaska.
According to President Chen, Governor Murkowski has continuously written letters to the Director-General of the World Health Organization to support Taiwan's participation in the WHO since 2003. In addition, with his support, Alaska Legislature passed resolutions, in 2003, 2004 and 2006, respectively, in support of Taiwan's accession into the WHO and the signing of the Taiwan-United States Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Last year, Governor Murkowski also wrote a letter to President Bush to express his concern over cross-strait peace after the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China passed the so-called Anti-Secession Law.
With regard to business, President Chen said Taiwan and the United States enjoy a close relationship in trade. Taiwan is the US's 8th largest trading partner, with the two-way trade amounting to US$ 56 billion in 2005. President Chen expressed his hope that the two sides would work together to push for the signing of the FTA as soon as possible.