President Chen Shui-bian on August 13 met with Chairman of the United States House Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment Eni Faleomavaega. The president thanked Congressman Faleomavaega for taking time out of his busy schedule to attend the Second General Assembly of the Democratic Pacific Union, saying his presence will make the meeting all the more meaningful.
President Chen said the US House of Representatives on July 30 passed Resolution No. 136, hoping the US administration would lift restrictions on visits to the United States by high-ranking ROC (Taiwan) government officials, including the president. The president is confident that this is the consensus of House members, regardless of political affiliation, as well as the desire of the 23 million people of Taiwan. At the time, Congressman Faleomavaega spoke on behalf of Taiwan, saying he believes the US government should maintain a dialogue with the democratically elected leaders of Taiwan. President Chen expressed his appreciation to Congressman Faleomavaega for his staunch support of Taiwan.
The president furthermore said the United States and Taiwan share common views and interests on many issues, especially with regards to maintaining peace, security and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. The president thanked the United States for its contributions to the democratization of Taiwan, adding that Taiwan cherishes the friendship between the two countries. The president does not hope that misunderstandings or a lack of thorough communication will impact the level of mutual trust between both sides. President Chen said he appreciates America's continued support of Taiwan's democracy. However, the 23 million people of Taiwan at times are not able to totally enjoy the full merits of democracy. It is quite unfair to the people of Taiwan if the nation's democracy faces various abridgments and restrictions, he said.
The president stressed that none of the three Sino-American communiqués indicated any recognition by the United States of China's position that Taiwan is a part of the People's Republic of China (PRC). Likewise, United Nations Resolution No. 2758, which has only 153 words, also does not make any reference to Taiwan being a part of the PRC. In the course of the 23 million people of Taiwan rejecting the standpoint of China, however, various misunderstandings have arisen, which are quite unfair to the government and people of Taiwan.
President Chen said that he was bringing up this serious topic in order to tell the guest of the standpoint of the people of Taiwan in general and not only of himself in particular.