President Lee this morning meets Mr. Geir Haarde, chair of the Committee for Foreign Affairs of the Icelandic Parliament, and exchanges views with him on current international situation and Taiwan-Chinese mainland relations.
President Lee tells his guest that, while national unification remains to be a long-term goal of the Republic of China, it is a reality that China is now. The Republic of China earnestly hopes to maintain peace across the Taiwan Straits and achieve national unification through cooperation and exchanges between Taiwan and the Mainland, he adds.
The President goes further to point out that this country is committed to freedom, democracy and equitable distribution of wealth and that he hopes all Chinese people on the mainland will soon enjoy the same way of life.
President Lee also reiterates that, with the support of the people in the ROC, he is willing to embark upon a jourjey of peace to mainland China and meet with the top leadership of the Chinese Communists for a direct exchange of views in order to open up a new era of communication and cooperation between the two sides.
Mr. and Mrs. Haarde are accompanied by ROC Vice Foreign Minister Francisco H. L. Ou to the Office of the President for the meeting. Dr. Ding Mou-shih, secretary-general of the ROC National Security Council, and Mr. Stephen S.F. Chen, deputy secretary-general to the President, are also present.