Taipei, Dec. 23 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian called on both the ruling and opposition camps Monday to cooperate and pool their efforts to push for what he called "overall diplomacy."
Chen made the call when he received the first "Outstanding Diplomat Award" winners at the Presidential Office.
In addition to congratulating the award winners, Chen expressed the hope that everyone can set aside their individual and partisan interests to work together in promoting the nation's foreign relations and interests. "Overall diplomacy" includes that of the head of state, political parties, the legislature, local government heads, economics, trade, technology, environmental protection, humanitarianism, academics, civil organizations and others, Chen explained.
The president said that he is well aware of the great challenges faced by ROC diplomats stationed abroad now that he has made three overseas trips covering 15 Republic of China diplomatic allies around the world since he assumed power in May, 2000.
Most of these challenges have come from Beijing, he noted.
Beijing has never let up in its attempts to boycott the ROC's bids to join international organizations, using intimidation on the one hand and the lure of benefits on the other to jeopardize the relationships between the ROC and its allies, Chen pointed out, adding that it has even deployed missiles along mainland China's southeastern coast targeting Taiwan, posing a serious threat to Taiwan and to international peace.
He said that these challenges and difficulties can only be overcome through concerted efforts by people from all walks of life.