President Chen Chui-bian on the afternoon of January 21 met with Republic of Palau Senate President Surangel Whipps at the Presidential Office. The president extended Senate President Whipps a cordial welcome on behalf of the government and 23 million people of the ROC (Taiwan). He also expressed gratitude to Senate President Whipps and a visiting delegation of Palau lawmakers for their long-term efforts and contributions to promoting friendship and the alliance between the two nations.
President Chen said that he is delighted to have the opportunity to meet with Senate President Whipps and the Palau lawmakers. He said the senate president has been extremely friendly to Taiwan since taking office last year. Senate President Whipps has spared no effort in promoting substantive ties and the diplomatic alliance between the two countries. In September and October last year, the Palau legislature passed important resolutions supporting Taiwan's entry into the United Nations and the World Health Organization. President Chen offered his highest respects to the visitors on behalf of the government and people of Taiwan.
President Chen also lauded Senate President Whipps for his outstanding administrative accomplishments and noted his popularity among the people of Palau. He mentioned that Senate President Whipps has served four terms in the House of Delegates and two terms as a senator. He has been the president of the House of Delegates in the past and now is the president of the Senate. In addition to his abundant experience in the political arena, he is also a popular political figure among the people. President Chen said that he offers his best wishes to Senate President Whipps, who plans to run for president of his nation. The president also said he hopes the wishes of the other parliamentarians in running for re-election or being elected as vice president will be fulfilled.
President Chen furthermore remarked that Palau exhibits extraordinary national beauty and is a paradise for scuba divers. He said that Taiwan is one of the largest sources of tourists for Palau. Far Eastern Air Transport offers air service between the two nations and the airline is seeing stable growth in demand for seats on the route. The airline is currently planning to increase its flights from the present four per week to one per day. The president believes this will further help to entice even more tourists from Taiwan to visit Palau. In response to Senate President Whipps' concern about the depletion of fishing stocks in Palau waters, President Chen said that Taiwan's agricultural and fisheries technology is quite advanced. He hopes that Taiwan will share its experience in fish farming with Palau, adding that in the future Taiwan will send a number of experts in the fisheries industry to assist Palau in the development of this sector. The president also said he is pleased that Taiwan's Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital last year sent a delegation of med ical personnel to be stationed in Palau to help care for the people of the Pacific island nation. President Chen also noted that a telecommunications cooperation project between the two countries is also moving forward and that Palau President Tommy E. Remengesau even came to Taiwan to personally sign the cooperation agreement on behalf of his country.
Lastly, President Chen asked Senate President Whipps to pass along his best regards to President Remengesau. He said Taiwan is Palau's most loyal and best friend. He expects the two nations will further their friendship and cooperative projects based on the existing foundation.