Taiwan first lady's Europe trip aids island's int'l visibility

0 Comments | Asian Political News, July 28, 2003

TAIPEI, July 23 Kyodo

Wu Shu-chen, Taiwan's first lady, said Wednesday her recent European trip has helped promote the island's international visibility.

''The trip has helped make some improvements in bilateral relations between Taiwan and other countries,'' Wu said at a news conference shortly after returning home.

Embarking on her second trip to Europe last Tuesday, Wu first visited the German capital Berlin and attended the opening of an exhibition of ancient Chinese art treasures from the National Palace Museum.

She was also honored by several organizations in recognition of her efforts and contributions to the development of democracy and freedom in Taiwan.

After five days in Germany, Wu headed to the Vatican, where she attended a series of events celebrating the 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul II's assumption of the papacy.

At the pontiff's summer residence, the wheelchair-bound Wu met briefly with the religious leader and delivered a letter from President Chen Shui-bian that included an offer totaling US$100,000 to help with postwar relief for Iraq.

In the letter, Chen asked the pope to pray for peace for the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait and mentioned that Taiwan would follow the pope's teachings about peace, government officials said.

Beijing regards Taiwan as a breakaway province and high-ranking officials from Taiwan, including the first lady, have been unable to visit countries that have official relations with China.

With only a handful of diplomatic allies, most of them poverty-stricken, the Holy See is the only European nation that still maintains an official relationship with Taiwan.

''The first lady's health was not suitable for long-distance travel,'' Chen told reporters, ''but with her persistence in helping with Taiwan's diplomacy, she has successfully demonstrated Taiwan people's courage in Europe.''

''She has done a good job, and the trip has helped upgrade Taiwan's international profile,'' he said.

Chen mentioned he will also visit several of Taiwan's diplomatic partners later.

Last September, Wu made a nine-day trip to the United States as Chen's personal envoy. She also traveled to Strasbourg, France, in November 2001, where her husband was presented with the Liberal International Prize for Freedom.