Taipei, April 17 (CNA) Republic of China President Chen Shui-bian expressed gratitude Tuesday to a visiting Los Angeles County delegation led by Michael Antonovich, chairman of the county's board of supervisors, for their staunch support for the ROC.
Welcoming Antonovich and his entourage, Chen said that although the ROC does not maintain diplomatic relations with the United States, the substantive relations between the two countries are developing steadily based on the existing good relations. In addition to visits by central government officials and Legislative Yuan officials, the exchange of visits between the private sector of the two countries are rapidly increasing, Chen said. Chen also took the opportunity to congratulate Antonovich on his sixth election victory.
Los Angeles County has always maintained good relations with Taiwan and entered into sisterhood relations with Taipei County in 1996, Chen said, adding his hope that the two counties will further strengthen their cooperation.
Chen also described Antonovich as a "sincere friend" of the ROC who has already made more than ten visits to Taiwan and who has also rejected Beijing's political pressure and continued to render his support to ROC diplomats in Los Angeles, Chen said.
Chen expressed hope that his visitors will visit economic establishments in the ROC during their stay in Taiwan and that relations between Taiwan and the United States will be further cemented in the future.