Remarks at the Spring Festival Banquet Hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Honor of Envoys to Taiwan
Chen Shui-bian
President
Republic of China (Taiwan)
February 19, 2008
Vice President Lu, Minister of Foreign Affairs Huang and Madam Huang, Esteemed Colleagues, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Ambassador Sawadogo and Madam Sawadogo, Foreign Minister deBrum of the Marshall Islands and Madam deBrum, Home Affairs Minister Telavi of Tuvalu and Madam Telavi, former under secretary-general of the UN Mr. Kim and Madam Kim, Chairman Koo of the Chinese International Economic Cooperation Association and Madam Koo, Chairman Chang of TSMC and Madam Chang, Your Excellencies Ambassadors and Representatives to Taiwan, Distinguished Guests, Friends from the Media:
Good evening to you all!
It is a great pleasure for Vice President Lu and me to attend the Spring Festival Banquet hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in honor of Your Excellencies Ambassadors and Representatives to Taiwan. I would like to wish everyone great fortune and a Happy New Year.
This year is the Year of the Rat, and since the rat is the first sign in the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of the Rat symbolizes primacy and a new beginning. What is more, it is the year 2008, and in Mandarin, the pronunciation for the number "eight" is similar to that for the word "prosperity." This year is therefore also set to be a year of blessings and good fortune. Indeed, I hope that for Taiwan, relations across the Taiwan Strait, and all other countries the world over, 2008 will be a golden year of hope, countless blessings, innumerable joys, and abundant harvest.
We deeply believe that humanity's evolution and endeavors to continually improve are irreversible and irresistible. The power of people - regardless of their ethnic origin, gender, culture, age, or religion - to pursue democracy, freedom, human rights and self-realization will only wax stronger, and this will eventually spread to every corner of the world. There is a common momentum building around the globe, whereby we seek to pursue human dignity, cultural development and harmonious co-existence with nature.
The 2007 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to former US vice president Al Gore, who has campaigned vigorously to awaken people to the consequences of global warming. I myself have, on several important international occasions, advocated the establishment of a World Environment Organization. The objective I have in mind is creating an effective platform through which global resources for environmental protection can be integrated. Meanwhile, we officially established the Dongsha Atoll National Park in the South China Sea on January 17 last year. This firm step was taken to ensure that the future of the South China Sea would be dealt with based on three major principles, namely peace, environmental protection and cooperation.
Furthermore, the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy played a principal role in preparing for the establishment of the Global Forum on New Democracies. The Forum's first conference was held in Taipei on the 25th of last month, when it formally issued the Taipei Declaration to mark its birth and publicly committed itself to the promotion of democracy around the world. The consolidation and deepening of democracy in Taiwan itself also continues to gain strength, as we are preparing to hold our fourth presidential election and third national referendum on March 22.
We have noticed recently that many people concerned with the human rights situation in China hope to highlight that country's human rights abuses through the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. They are exerting pressure on the Chinese Communist Party and are making known their hope that China doesn't just content itself with hosting this magnificent sporting event. Rather, they hope that China will make genuine progress on its human rights practices and realize the true Olympic spirit of peace, justice and harmony. The developments in Kosovo over the past few days have once more demonstrated the global trend towards democracy and self-determination. Coercion, intimidation and violence may silence people temporarily, but in the long run, it is futile.
We hope that democracies and democracy advocates the world over will unite as one to support and assist peoples or countries seeking to advance democracy. We also hope that China will renounce its intention and preparations to use force against Taiwan, so that the dream of the peaceful co-existence of Taiwan and China, and a win-win situation for both, can one day come true.
Thanks to the careful planning of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other agencies, I have been able to take four trips overseas during the past 13 months. The countries I visited include Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, the Marshall Islands, Guatemala and Saint Lucia. I also participated in three summits—the Sixth Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Central America, and the Dominican Republic; the First Taiwan-African Heads of State Summit; and the Second Taiwan-Pacific Allies Summit. I also attended the inauguration ceremonies of new presidents in two of our allies, Nicaragua and Guatemala. These efforts show how determined we are to assist our allies with their national development, to solidify friendships, to increase Taiwan's global visibility and to bolster bilateral and multilateral diplomacy.
Your Excellencies Ambassadors and Representatives are the best bridges between your nations and Taiwan, and you have made numerous contributions to enhancing our relations. On behalf of the 23 million people and government of Taiwan, I would like to express my most heartfelt gratitude to you all. I hope that, both during and after your time here, you will speak well of Taiwan's natural beauty and diverse culture to your peoples and governments. Our door is wide open and a warm welcome awaits your people should they come and visit.
The Lantern Festival is only two days away now, when the celebrations will light up Taiwan. Taipei County's Pingsi Township is holding a Heavenly Lantern Festival, where people can write their wishes on sky lanterns, set them free and watch them float gracefully heavenwards. My final term in office finishes this May, and it is with a grateful heart that I now make three wishes. My first wish is that our motherland, Taiwan, may forever enjoy peace and prosperity. My second wish is that humankind will find a way to achieve sustainable development. And my third and final wish is that every single person in our global village may come to live with dignity in freedom, democracy and peace.
Once again, I thank you for attending tonight's banquet. Please join Vice President Lu and me in a toast now: To the health and happiness of all distinguished guests! To the peace and prosperity of all our countries, and to our everlasting friendship! Thank you.