Panama City, May 29 (CNA) Republic of China President Chen Shui-bian said in Panama City Tuesday that Beijing's cherished "one country, two systems" formula aims to annihilate the ROC and that the 23 million people of Taiwan will never accept it.
The president, making the remarks during a speech before the Panamanian National Assembly, said that before he arrived to deliver his speech, he saw some Panamanians outside carrying banners promoting the "one country, two systems" formula.
Chen, who is on the third leg of his five-nation Latin America trip, said those people probably don't know the meaning of the words and the true voice of the people of Taiwan.
He said that if Taiwan accepted the formula, it would mean the death of the ROC as it would make it a part of mainland China, or a province or a local government.
But the ROC on Taiwan is an independent sovereign state, not a province nor a part of another country, Chen said. As an independent sovereign state, the ROC should have normal international status and take part in international organizations and activities, he said.
However, he said, Beijing has tried every means to "sabotage" the ROC's efforts to take part in international activities because it says that Taiwan is part of the People's Republic of China and cannot maintain normal diplomatic relations with other countries.
He said that mainland China has ignored the reality and has denied the ROC breathing space in the international community, which he said has not only damaged the legal rights of the ROC, but has also hindered the integration and development of the international community.
The president also took the opportunity to speak about his own close relationship with Panama, saying that two decades ago when he was a maritime lawyer, he worked with Panamanian lawyers on matters such as ship registration and claims. He added that when he entered politics, he loved Panama, and now that he is the ROC president, he loves it even more.
President Chen's speech was warmly received by the legislators, who gave him a standing ovation three times during his speech.
Laurentino Cortizo, speaker of the Panamanian National Assembly, noted that Chinese people, who first emigrated to Panama 150 years ago, have contributed a great deal to the country through their diligence and intelligence.
He urged the two sides of the Taiwan Strait to engage in dialogue under the principles of "peace and freedom." He also called on Taiwan business people to make use of the excellent geographical location and various services of Panama and invest in the country.
President Chen pointed out that the ROC is one of the major users and investors in the Panama Canal, citing the Evergreen Group as an example and saying that its container ships sail through the canal every week.
The president also said that he would like to encourage Taiwan businesses to actively take part in Panama's major construction projects and in the Panama Canal development plan.