Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

President Ma Ying-jeou met with Singaporean Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew on March 29 to reminisce about old times. During the discussions, Minister Mentor Lee praised President Ma's policy of "no unification, no independence, and no use of force" between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, describing it as beneficial to both Taiwan and the region. Minister Mentor Lee also expressed his admiration for the peaceful tenor of cross-strait relations over the past nearly three years, and specifically mentioned the shelving of cross-strait disputes, strengthened economic and trade cooperation, and improved cross-strait relations. Mr. Lee said the entire region welcomes peaceful cross-strait ties, and he also spoke highly about the strength of Taiwan's economy.

President Ma cited the important role played by Singapore in talks between Koo Chen-fu (former Straits Exchange Foundation Chairman) and Wang Daohan (former Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits Chairman) in 1993, as well as Singapore's support for Taiwan's participation in regional integration. The president specially expressed his appreciation to Minister Mentor Lee for these efforts.

Minister Mentor Lee was in Taiwan to take a personal vacation with his daughter Dr. Lee Wei Ling, director of the National Neuroscience Institute in Singapore. They left Taiwan on March 31.