Taipei, Dec. 14 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Saturday that the Republic of China is more than willing to contribute to the expansion and consolidation of democracy in the Asia-Pacific region and to the promotion of democratization in mainland China.
Chen made the remarks at a two-day preparatory meeting for the first Democratic Pacific Conference to be held in Taiwan next March. The preparatory meeting took place at the Ta Shee Resort in Taoyuan, some 30 kilometers south of Taipei.
Noting that security is critical to regional peace and development, Chen said the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on America last year have highlighted the necessity for Asia-Pacific countries to form an alliance to boost security, cooperation and prosperity.
As a model for democratization, Chen said, the ROC looks forward to cooperating with other Asia-Pacific democratic countries to consolidate the democratic system and values in the region. "We are also willing to assist mainland China in walking down the road of democracy," Chen said.
He further called for an early formation of an Asia-Pacific democracy alliance to facilitate bilateral and multilateral cooperation in economic development and to prevent a recurrence of an Asian financial crisis like the one witnessed in 1997.