Taipei, Jan. 14 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Monday he does not think that he chose the wrong timing and occasion to announce his approval of a government plan to add the English phrase "issued in Taiwan" to the cover of new Republic of China passports.
Chen made the remarks while meeting with visiting U.S. Congressman Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), who is also a member of the Asia-Pacific panel under the House International Affairs Committee.
Chen told his guest that some people criticized his Sunday announcement of his consent to the new ROC passport format at the 20th founding anniversary of the U.S.-based Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA). "They claim that I made the announcement at a bad time and on the wrong occasion," Chen said. "But I disagree with their views. I'm convinced that my announcement came at the right time and on the right occasion."
In fact, he went on, the announcement marked recognition of FAPA's strenuous efforts over the past two decades to promote international support for the "right of the people of Taiwan to establish an independent, democratic country" and to boost peace and security for Taiwan.
Chen stressed that the ROC's national title will not be subject to any change or alteration under the plan.
Noting that the plan is mainly aimed at making the ROC passport more distinguishable from those issued by the People's Republic of China (PRC), mainland China's official title, Chen said the plan should not be politicized.
When ROC citizens travel abroad, Chen went on, they are often mistaken for mainland Chinese nationals because immigration officials and airline staff cannot easily distinguish ROC passports from PRC passports. "The confusion has brought many inconveniences to our overseas travelers or expatriates," Chen said, adding that the new measure is just like "adding the label `Made in Taiwan' on our products."
Chen said his administration will go ahead with what he described as the right policy lines even though the "road will be long and bumpy."
The president expressed his gratitude and admiration for Brown for the American congressman's consistent support for Taiwan's bid to join major international organizations, particularly the World Health Organization (WHO).
Through Brown's vocal and unswerving efforts, Chen said, the ROC's WHO bid has received bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress. "More importantly, his efforts have even prompted the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to make an about-face regarding the issue, from outright opposition to public support for Taiwan becoming a WHO observer."
After a 12-year struggle, Chen said, Taiwan was finally admitted to the World Trade Organization at the beginning of this year. "We hope that our WHO bid can also be realized in the near future to facilitate the fulfillment of our obligations as a member of the international community and to enable Taiwan to make even greater contributions to the upgrading of medical services to all mankind."