President Chen Shui-bian at 3:15 p.m. on August 25 (August 26, 5:15 a.m., Taipei time) and El Salvador Vice President Ana Vilma de Escobar jointly attended the groundbreaking ceremony for a new factory at the Sanli Industrial Park established with the assistance of Taiwan.
Overseas compatriots and local residents offered a warm welcome to President Chen upon his arrival at the Sanli Industrial Park. During the ceremonies, the national anthems of both countries were played. Chairman Liou Sian-jhih of the industrial park then made remarks and provided a briefing on plans for the new factory, after which President Chen delivered remarks and took part in the groundbreaking ceremony. Chairman Liou then escorted President Chen around the area.
President Chen said that the foundation laying ceremony for the new factory at the industrial park represents the many years of efforts and the outstanding leadership of Chairman Liou over the years. The industrial park is also the pride of the 23 million people of Taiwan, he said.
The president said he is extremely pleased to see that Taiwan businessmen overseas are successful in their ventures, adding that he hopes today's groundbreaking ceremony marks another good starting point. In the future, the industrial park will work to recruit businesses to move in and engage in operations, he said. This will create even more jobs and will open another wonderful new page in economic and investment cooperation between Taiwan and El Salvador, the president said.
In the evening, the president returned to his hotel where he hosted a banquet for overseas compatriots living in El Salvador and also delivered a short speech to the gathering.