President Chen Shui-bian on February 14 met with Republic of Malawi Minister of Finance Goodall Edward Gondwe and Mrs. Gondwe. President Chen, on behalf of the government and people of the ROC (Taiwan), expressed his welcome and gratitude to the visitors for making the long journey to Taiwan. On the eve of the Chinese Lunar New Year, President Chen said he hoped Mr. and Mrs. Gondwe will experience the festive feeling as the local people.
President Chen said Finance Minister Gondwe has an impressive background both in academia and in work for various agencies and the government. He recently won a seat in Parliament. In the past, he has served as Vice President and President per interim of the African Development Bank, and also worked for the International Monetary Fund for many years. As a result, many people believe that Minister Gondwe has a good chance to win the presidency in presidential elections to be held in Malawi in 2009.
President Chen said that Minister Gondwe and Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika are good friends and maintain a strong working relationship. President Chen stressed that President Mutharika is also an excellent friend to him and a counterpart for whom he has high esteem. The president said that the two nations have a solid diplomatic relationship, with the countries marking their 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties last year. President Chen also asked Minister Gondwe to pass along his regards to President and Mrs. Mutharika.
The president expressed his gratitude for President Mutharika supporting Taiwan's entry into the United Nations during speeches he made to the General Assembly in 2005 and 2006. He said the people of Taiwan were moved by the forceful and persuasive calls made by President Mutharika in the speeches. President Chen also said that he will always remember that after President Mutharika returned to Malawi from a visit to Taiwan in 2005, the new political party he created was named the Democratic Progressive Party, which is exactly the same as Taiwan's ruling party.
President Chen said he is delighted by the strong bilateral cooperation between the two countries. He said that cooperation in the areas of agriculture, animal husbandry, irrigation systems, medicine and health, roads and bridges, vocational training and academic scholarships has yielded outstanding results. He added that the Taiwan government has provided assistance in the building of the KC highway and computerization of government affairs, and that he is happy to see the achievements of these projects.
President Chen wished Minister Gondwe his best, hoping that his visit here will leave a deep impression on him. He also welcomed Minister Gondwe to visit the collection of Chinese art on display at the National Palace Museum, take a trip to the top of the world's tallest building, Taipei 101, and enjoy a ride on the recently opened high-speed railway.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Yang Tzu-pao accompanied Minister and Mrs. Gondwe to the Presidential Building in the morning to meet with President Chen.