On behalf of the government and the people of the ROC, President Lee Teng-hui this evening confers the Order of Brilliant Jade with Grand Cordon on President Carlos Roberto Reina of the Republic of Honduras in a tribute to his efforts of enhancing relationship between the two countries.
In his remarks after receiving the decoration, President Reina expresses his gratitude, saying that the decoration he has just received is the greatest honor in his life and that he will insistently strive for promoting bilateral cooperative relations between both countries.
After the decorating ceremony, President and Madame Lee host a state banquet in honor of President and Madame Reina and their delegation. Vice President and Madame Lien Chan, heads of the central government agencies, and members of diplomatic corps are all present at the banquet.
At the end of the state banquet, President Lee delivers a speech to welcome President and Madame Reina and the Honduras delegation while expressing his appreciation to President Reina for sending a delegation led by Vice President Walter Lopez Reyes to attend his inauguration ceremony in the past May. President Lee tells his guests that the ROC and Honduras, both strongly uphold freedom, democracy and international justice, enjoy longtime friendship. It is therefore very gratifying to see that mutual exchanges have increased and bilateral cooperative relations have become closer in recent years, the President notes.
In his speech, President Lee also expresses gratitude to Honduras for strongly supporting the ROC in the international society. He points out that, over the past decades, as a result of the hard work of our people, the ROC has made remarkable achievements in economic development and political reform. In order to make greater contributions to the world, the ROC would like to play a more active and constructive role in the international society, President Lee adds.
In response, President Reina appreciates the warm reception given by the ROC. He reiterates that the Republic of Honduras will continue to give her full support to the ROC in the international society and develop closer cooperative ties with the ROC.
President Reina also points out that, although his stay here is brief, he is deeply impressed by the social affluence and stability in the ROC.
At the end of their speeches, both presidents invite all the guests for a toast to the bright future of the two countries.