President Chen Shui-bian on April 4 at the Presidential Building met with a delegation of visiting American Congressmen, headed by Representative Lincoln Davis. President Chen, on behalf of the 23 million people and the government of the ROC (Taiwan), expressed a warm welcome and gratitude to the delegation, which is making the trip to Taiwan during a Congressional recess.
President Chen said that three of the four Congressmen visiting Taiwan this time are members of the Democratic Party's Blue Dog Coalition, which places special emphasis on economic issues, the pursuit of a fair tax system and a balanced budget. The president said that the causes supported by the coalition are extremely important. President Chen said the Taiwan government also is extremely concerned about a fair tax system and balancing the budget. He noted that presently, the government here is working to overcome all sorts of challenges and difficulties to implement an alternative minimum tax system in the pursuit of a fair tax system and social justice. In addition, he pointed out that last year for the first time in eight years, the government balanced the budget, which indicates that Taiwan is making headway in addressing tax-related issues.
President Chen said that even though Taiwan is small, it is the eighth largest trading partner of the United States. Based on the foundation of a strong friendship and close commercial and economic cooperation, the signing of a free trade agreement between the two nations would undoubtedly strengthen agricultural exchanges and cooperation between the two countries. He said that Korea and the United States in the past few days have signed a free trade agreement and many countries that have smaller levels of trade with the United States than Taiwan are already in negotiations with America on free trade agreements. President Chen said that he hopes that American officials will pay more attention to the signing of a US-Taiwan free trade agreement given the economic benefits it would have for both nations.
President Chen also expressed his appreciation to Representative Davis for his votes in the House of Representatives calling on the European Union to maintain its ban on arms sales to China and expressing concern about China's passage of the Anti-separation Law two years ago. The president said Taiwan must defend itself and ensure its own safety, and needs to boost its defensive capabilities. He said Taiwan has no intention of shifting the responsibility of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait to the United States. The president said keeping peace, safety and stability is the duty and mission of the Taiwan government. President Chen stressed that Taiwan continues to abide by its promises and guarantees made to the American government and the world community. He said he hopes Taiwan-US relations will continue to develop based on the existing cooperative foundation.
President Chen said that even though Taiwan and the United States do not maintain formal diplomatic relations, the collective rights and right to health of the 23 million people of Taiwan cannot be neglected. There are no boundaries when it comes to health, disease prevention and medical care, he said. As such, he hopes the United States will continue to speak out in its support for Taiwan's participation in the World Health Organization and that the goal of entering the body will soon be reached.