Taipei, March 29 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian received the Brisbane City Temple Band Friday after a performance by the 43-member group at the Presidential Office.
Saying that he first became aware of the group seven years ago in Taipei when he was serving as the city's mayor, Chen said he was happy and touched to meet the group again and praised its long-time devotion to charitable activities "to show the love of Jesus Christ for the world."
Band leader Warren David Parkinson presented letters from Australian Governor General Sir William Patrick Deane and Prime Minister John Howard to Chen and said the group felt deeply honored to have played in the Presidential Office. He also expressed hope for better bilateral ties between the two countries.