Taipei, Jan. 29 (CNA) Republic of China President Chen Shui-bian said Tuesday that the government has repeatedly shown its goodwill to the Beijing authorities in order to create cross-Taiwan Strait peace.
Chen expressed hope that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait will treasure "the friendship across the strait" and said that the two sides should normalize their relations under a democratic and peaceful framework.
He made the remarks while receiving representatives from overseas Chinese communities around the world who were attending the organizers' meeting of a proposed "pan overseas Chinese democracy and peace alliance."
The meeting, which was sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other government agencies, concentrated its efforts toward adopting a counter-measure against pro-Beijing "promotion of China's reunification and against Taiwan independence movement."
Chen praised the alliance members for their contributions to promoting democracy and peace in Taiwan and said that democracy, freedom, human rights and peace are common goals of the people of the world. "Your efforts are admired by myself and the people of Taiwan, Chen went on, adding that "your voice for Taiwan has attracted attention from the international community."