President Chen Shui-bian was in Guatemala for the second day today on his "Journey of Mutual Friendship and Sustained Development."
At 8:30 a.m. (10:30 p.m. January 14 Taipei time), the president at his hotel met with Panama President Martin Torrijos Espino. President Chen first expressed his pleasure at having the opportunity to meet with President Torrijos again. He congratulated President Torrijos on the strong economic growth that Panama has chalked up during his administration, along with the social welfare measures and domestic infrastructure projects that have been carried out in Panama. President Chen also said he hopes that bilateral relations between Taiwan and Panama can develop and strengthen further, paving the way for greater wellbeing among the people of the two countries.
Shortly after 10 a.m., President Chen, also at his hotel, extended his congratulations to President-elect Alvaro Colom Caballeros. The two heads of state had a cordial meeting. President Chen also extended an invitation to the president-elect to visit Taiwan at an appropriate time to see the progress and development of the nation.
President-elect Colom thanked President Chen for leading a delegation to Guatemala to be present for his inauguration. He said that this is the best proof of the friendship that has developed between the two countries spanning over 70 years. He also expressed his gratitude for the cooperative projects carried out by the two countries, including those in areas of crime prevention and social welfare. President-elect Colom said that after his inauguration, he will continue in the footsteps of his predecessors and work to strengthen mutual political, economic and social development at all levels, as well as seek to promote wellbeing among the people of Guatemala and Taiwan.
After this meeting, President Chen went to the Intercontinental Hotel where he met with overseas compatriot leaders, members of Taiwan's technical mission in Guatemala, young men from Taiwan in the alternative service program and table tennis coaches from Taiwan. He provided them with gifts and took pictures with them. The president then held a luncheon for overseas compatriots living in the area, thanking them for their participation in various charitable activities to help the underprivileged in Guatemala. He said that they have won the respect and praise from Guatemala as well as from governments throughout the rest of Central America. Their efforts have helped to boost friendship between Taiwan and Guatemala, as well as with other countries in the region, he said.
In the afternoon, President Chen returned to his hotel where he met with Honduras President Jose Manuel Zelaya. President Chen extended an invitation to President Zelaya and his wife to visit Taiwan to further boost friendship between the two countries.
After this meeting, President Chen traveled by automobile to the National Theatre to witness the inauguration of President Colom and Vice President Rafael Espada. After that ceremony, Guatemala's new Cabinet members were sworn in. The master of ceremonies then called for the attending heads of state to step to the platform to offer their congratulations to the new president and vice president. President Chen took his turn after the leaders of Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Colombia. When it was his turn, President Chen shook hands with President Colom and expressed his warmest congratulations on behalf of the government and 23 million people of the ROC (Taiwan).
In the evening, President Chen attended a cocktail party and state dinner at the National Palace of Culture held by President Colom and his wife. President Chen spoke with many people attending the gala event, expressing his sincerest regards and appreciation from Taiwan.