Taipei, March 18 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Tuesday the Philippines should develop closer cooperative relations with the Republic of China as the two countries are close neighbors.
Chen made the pitch while meeting with a delegation of Philippine local government chiefs.
Noting that Taiwan and the Philippines are only separated by 52.8 kilometers at the nearest points between the two countries, Chen said there is ample room for the two countries to cooperate.
Despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties, Chen said, Taiwan and the Philippines have traditionally maintained close exchanges. For instance, Taiwan is the Philippines' third largest source of tourists, fourth largest foreign investor with an accumulated investment of US$450 million, and fifth largest trading partner. Two-way trade between Taiwan and the Philippines exceeds US$5 billion.
Nevertheless, Chen said, there still exist some problems that need further discussions between the two countries. Most important are issues regarding the large number of Philippine citizens working in Taiwan and the ROC's bid to join the United Nations.
Chen said it is very regrettable that the Philippines expressed explicit opposition to Taiwan's U.N. bid at the U.N. General Assembly session last year.
Even if the Philippines cannot back the ROC's U.N. bid because of its "one China" policy, Chen said, he is hopeful that Manila authorities can refrain from openly opposing it.
Chen further said the Bashi Channel should not become a "gulf" separating the two countries. "We should strengthen engagement and expand substantive cooperation through dialogue and exchanges of visits by high-ranking officials," he added.
Tuesday happened to be the third anniversary of Chen's election as the ROC president. Chen said he was happy to meet with the Philippine delegation on the special day which marked the first democratic transfer of power between political parties in Taiwan. "We cherish this hard-won democratic achievement," he added.
For his part, Hermilando I. Mandanas, governor of Batangas Province and leader of the Philippine delegation, said he was glad to meet Chen again after their first meeting in Taipei eight years ago during Chen's tenure as mayor of Taipei.
Mandanas said his delegation will convey Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's support for the ROC's "go south" policy of encouraging Taiwan businesspeople to invest more in Southeast Asia and her government's commitment to promoting cooperation with Taiwan.