Taipei, March 14 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian called Thursday for an upgrading of ties between the Republic of China and Japan.
Speaking at a reunion party hosted by a group of Taiwanese alumni of Japan's Waseda University, the president said bilateral ties are at a critical point given the power shift in Taiwan and the "fading out" of the old guard in both countries.
Describing the two countries as important to each other in terms of trade, Chen said that in 2001, bilateral trade stood at US$38.6 billion, while 740,000 Taiwanese and 970,000 Japanese visited each other's country.
These facts, he went on, combined with the two countries' long-standing engagements throughout history and their similar democratic systems have knit them closely together as regards economy, security, energy and environmental protection.
Closer bilateral ties are all the more important as both countries are facing the challenge of globalization and competition from mainland China.
Noting that his administration is implementing reforms to revitalize the ailing economy just as the Japanese authorities are doing, the president said that the two countries should help and encourage each other in their efforts.