Taipei, April 19 (CNA) Republic of China Vice President Annette Lu Thursday urged the U.S. government to improve its treatment of ROC leaders and to provide advanced defense weapons for Taiwan.
She made the appeals while meeting with House Representative Bob Schaffer and members of a mission consisting of U.S. women leaders.
Lu said that President Chen Shui-bian and she made stopovers in the United States on their way to and from Latin American countries last year, but noted that "unreasonable restrictions" were placed upon them during their stays there.
She expressed hope that the new U.S. administration will make "constructive improvements" on bilateral relations, especially during Chen's stopover in the United States next month.
During the talks, Lu explained the need for Taiwan to acquire advanced defense arms to deter the military threat from mainland China and urged the United States to be wary of Beijing's plot to block U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. She also said she expects that Washington will assist Taiwan in its bid for early entry into the World Trade Organization and the World Health Organization.
In response, Schaffer said that he believes the U.S. Congress will continue to show its concern about Taiwan's security and will support Taiwan's efforts to join international organizations. Members of the women's mission said they will ask the U.S. government to improve its treatment of Taipei leaders in the future.