President Chen Shui-bian on June 7 said that the ROC (Taiwan) was not surprised by the announcement of Costa Rica President Oscar Arias Sanchez to sever that nation's diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Costa Rica had been a diplomatic ally of the ROC (Taiwan) for over 60 years. President Chen said that officials here had been aware of developments regarding relations between the two countries. The president said he rejected the resignation offer of Foreign Minister James Huang, noting that Minister Huang did everything in his power to maintain the diplomatic relationship with Costa Rica. The president lauded Minister Huang for the efforts and contributions he has made in the past. While the outcome in this instance was not as everyone had hoped, the president said that the people of Taiwan should continue to support and encourage the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in its efforts.
The Presidential Office said that China not only continues to increase its military threat against Taiwan, but also is willing to resort to any measure to restrict Taiwan's ability to survive in the international community. China is trying to woo away all of Taiwan's diplomatic allies. Meanwhile, it is also obstructing Taiwan's efforts to make political inroads in the international community. At the same time, China is also trying to prevent negotiations between the two sides to be carried out as equals. China is attempting to obliterate Taiwan's existence in the international community. Most recently, China has unreasonably put up roadblocks to prevent Taiwan from participating in the World Health Organization, depriving the 23 million people of Taiwan of their collective rights to health. Meanwhile, on June 25, the World Organization for Animal Health, under pressure from China, resolved to belittle Taiwan's status from a sovereign nation to a "non-sovereign regional member."
In response to China's measures to isolate, denigrate and pressure Taiwan, President Chen stressed that since the alternation of power on Taiwan, the government has had to engage in diplomatic battles with China on a daily basis. He said that China's diplomatic pressure on Taiwan is carried out irrespective of the political party in power on Taiwan or whether initiatives are carried out by the central or local governments. The president said that China is sure to continue its efforts to isolate Taiwan even after a new president is elected here next year. President Chen said that the people of Taiwan must understand that pressure from China is becoming stronger all the time and that Beijing is not going to ease up. He said that the ruling and opposition parties, along with all compatriots, must be of one mind in backing the government in its efforts to ensure national dignity for Taiwan.