Taipei, Jan. 9 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Thursday that Taiwan is willing to establish what he called "security alliance relations" with the United States and Japan, neither of which have diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
He made the remarks in a speech delivered at a New Year party jointly hosted by the Taiwan Japanese Association and the Taipei Japanese Chamber of Commerce.
Chen said that relations between Taiwan and Japan can constitute a solid foundation for the security, democratic and economic development of the Asian region.
He stressed that the relationship between Japan and the United States fits the interests of East Asia and added that Taiwan expects Japan to play a more active and constructive role in the maintenance of security in the Asia-Pacific region.
Chen went on to say that Taiwan is willing to make more contributions under the bilateral and multilateral cooperation framework of the U.S.-Japanese alliance.
He expressed hope that a tri-lateral "security alliance relationship" between Taiwan, the U.S. and Japan can be established through the present close cooperation in the battle against terrorism and in humanitarian cooperation.
He reiterated that Taiwan, as a model of democratization, is willing to cooperate with Japan to promote democratization in Southeast Asia and mainland China and he voiced his hope that Taiwan and Japan will join hands to promote the establishment of an "Asian Democratic Alliance" to bring together all democratic countries in the Asia-Pacific area.
Chen also urged Japan to set up a "free trade zone" with Taiwan, which he said would benefit economic reforms for the two countries and help realize the emergence of an "economic co-prosperity entity" for all Asia-Pacific democratic countries.