Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

Taipei, June 3 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian urged more American people and businesses Monday to invest in Taiwan, citing Taiwan's advantages of democracy and rule of law. "Investment in Taiwan is the best choice," the president told visiting Billy Wireman, president of Queens College In Charlotte, North Carolina, as well as various business alumni of the southern regional university.

The president said that Taiwan's leaders are directly elected, which he said is unthinkable in mainland China. He noted that Taiwan's presidential election in 2000 swept the Kuomintang from five decades in power, while the other side of the Taiwan Strait continues to cling to one-party politics.

Chen spoke of the favorable investment environment in Taiwan, saying that under the nation's six-year national development plan, the research and development budget will reach 3 percent of its gross national product.

Taiwan is also dedicated to the goal of becoming the world's logistics center, Chen said, adding that in addition, the government is undergoing reforms to upgrade its efficiency and upgrade its global competitive edge.

Wireman expressed admiration for the political changeover in Taiwan and for the country's full democratic development.